Do you know why mouth guards are important? One of the best things about sweet summertime is being outside! Soaking up the sun means playing more sports, which makes the importance of having a mouth guard a buzzworthy topic among our patients at Krengel Dental. Here are some common questions and helpful answers regarding why mouth guards are important for protecting your smile.
Why Mouth Guards Are Important for Protecting Your Smile
Q: Who needs a mouth guard?
A: There are many reasons to use a mouth guard for children and adults. Patients who play contact sports (soccer, basketball, lacrosse, football, etc.) or even non-contact and recreational sports (gymnastics, biking, rollerblading, etc.) can benefit from wearing a mouth guard to prevent (expensive) damage or injury to the mouth. Mouthguards are also useful in preventing tooth damage to patients who grind their teeth at night. People of all ages can benefit from using a mouth guard.
Q: Why wear a mouth guard?
A: While sports are fun, we also know they can be dangerous or lead to injury, which is why mouth guards are important for preventing this. Wearing a mouthguard is the most effective way to limit the risk of injuries related to the mouth or teeth. Mouth guards are designed to protect the soft tissues in the mouth region and prevent the risk of nerve damage, breakage or even the loss of teeth. Since accidents happen and the mouth region is sensitive, getting a custom fit mouth guard is the chosen way by the Krengel Dental team to keep your mouth happy, smiley and pain-free.
Additionally, people who grind their teeth at night may experience bruxism symptoms and wearing a mouth guard can help relieve any pain derived from this.
Q: What is a mouth guard and what does it do?
A: A mouth guard is made of thick, protective plastic and is shaped like a dental tray, customized to create the shape and form of your smile’s teeth and gums. By customizing the mouth guard, the protective, form-fitting device creates a barrier that keeps the top and bottom teeth from crashing or being damaged during impact.
Q: What options for mouth guards are out there?
A: There are many over-the-counter mouth guards and customized mouth guards made to fit the form of your unique smile. Over-the-counter stock mouth guards are the least expensive option, made in pre form and ready for use. In order to make sure an over-the-counter mouth guard fits your mouth correctly, you can try a boil and bite mouth guard that is also available over-the counter and can be found at many sporting good stores. While they allow for a more customized fit than a stock mouth guard, they are not as protective as a custom-fit mouth guard. Custom mouth guards are an investment in that they are the most long-lasting, form fitting and durable option, made to maintain their shape.
Which Mouth Guards Should You Buy?
Do you have questions about what kind of mouth guard you or your household athlete may need? As always, we are here to serve you and only a call away! Contact us today and we’re happy to help keep your smile healthy and pain-free.
We hope this post explained why mouth guards are important for keeping your smile beautiful, healthy, and pain-free.
About Krengel Dental: Dentist in Bloomington, MN and St. Louis Park, MN
Krengel Dental is a modern dentist in Bloomington, MN and St. Louis Park, MN. We’re passionate about being a leader in using cutting-edge dental technology while also creating a lively and friendly environment. Our team is talented both in skill and making the dentist feel fun rather than a chore. If you’re looking for a new Twin Cities dentist, please give us a call today!
