Many patients love playing sports, from football to soccer to softball to lacrosse. Whichever they choose, we know sports are a huge part of our young patients’ lives, and even some of our adult patients enjoy playing sports in their free time. Sports are generally a healthy activity, but that doesn’t mean they’re 100% safe. Accidents can happen, so we encourage our patients to wear a mouthguard while playing sports.
What does a mouthguard do? Can you wear a mouthguard with braces? How should a mouthguard fit? These are some of the many questions we get about mouthguards. We know that there is more to a mouthguard for braces than just picking out something off a store shelf. At Smith and Davis Orthodontics, we encourage our patients to keep their mouths and braces safe with the right type of mouthguard. Here are a few facts and tips to help you find the right mouthguard and use it correctly.
Types of Mouthguards
There are two types of mouthguards for sports with braces or without braces. The first is known as the “boil and bite” and is available through major retailers. The second type is a professionally made mouthguard, usually ordered from a dentist or orthodontist.
‘Boil and Bite’ Mouthguard
The boil and bite mouthguard is exactly as it sounds. You boil the mouthguard until it’s soft so you can bite to mold it around your teeth and braces. This leaves little space between the mouthguard and your teeth. Newer mouthguards don’t require boiling. Instead, they can be microwaved to soften them. If you’re wondering if mouthguards go on the top or bottom, they usually go on the top only unless you have an underbite. In that case, because the lower teeth jut forward from the upper teeth, you might also want to wear a mouthguard on the bottom.
Just read the instructions carefully so you know how to mold the mouthguard properly and so you don’t try to bite into the mouthguard when it’s too hot. Can a mouthguard hurt your teeth? It won’t feel good if it’s too hot when you bite it. You also don’t want to burn your gums. Ouch!
Once you have the mouthguard molded around your teeth and braces, you can remove it and allow it to cool. It will harden and be ready to use. You can find mouthguards in various colors. Some companies offer mouthguards that can be customized with logos or images, so you could get a soccer mouthguard for your braces or a hockey mouthguard for braces. Add your personality to your mouthguard!
The biggest advantage to these mouthguards is that as your teeth move, you can remold these mouthguards a couple of times before you have to replace them. That cuts down on the cost of having a mouthguard. Otherwise, your mouthguard can develop space between it and your shifted teeth. That means there’s a better chance of the mouthguard slamming into your teeth if you’re hit. Mouthguards protect teeth by fitting snugly and absorbing any shocks. Your mouthguard needs to work properly so it can protect you!
Professionally Made Mouthguards
The other mouthguards are custom-made by a dentist or an orthodontist to fit precisely with your braces and teeth. These mouthguards cost more, but they may be covered by your insurance’s Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flex Spending Account (FSA).
A dentist or orthodontist uses a digital scan of your teeth and braces to create a customized mouthguard. The upside is you get a perfect fit. The downside is that fit won’t last long because your teeth will shift during your braces treatment. Some mouthguards can be readjusted, but they will need to be replaced after a while. This costs more money. If you play a single sport during the year, a professional mouthguard may work for you. However, a boil and bite may save you some money if you play sports throughout the year.
Is a Mouthguard Needed for Sports?
So do you need a mouthguard for sports? Yes, you do because the shock that mouthguards absorb can damage your teeth otherwise. Any sports with any projectile can be dangerous for your mouth, whether a baseball, a hockey puck, or someone’s elbow. A mouthguard can also lessen or prevent damage to your lips, tongue, and cheeks that might otherwise get cut by impacting metal wires and brackets.
While we enjoy seeing our patients, we don’t enjoy seeing them with shredded mouths after being hit in the face by a football or a football helmet. Smith and Davis Orthodontics recommends you wear a mouthguard when you play sports.
Can a Mouthguard Prevent Teeth Grinding and Snoring?
Some people have asked if their mouthguard can prevent clenching of the teeth or snoring? A sports mouthguard isn’t necessarily made for those tasks. Instead, we recommend using a professional dental appliance designed to prevent tooth grinding or snoring. These devices are customized to your teeth and placed in a certain way to prevent clenching or snoring.
A sports mouthguard probably won’t help much with clenching and even less with snoring. In fact, it could obstruct your airway. Snoring is prevented by moving your jaw forward, which a mouthguard won’t do. So if you have problems with either of these issues, talk with Smith and Davis before trying to use your sports mouthguard to solve the problem.
More on Mouthguards in Rogers, AR
Mouthguards are a great way to prevent injuries to braces or teeth during sports. We know our Rogers, AR, patients love sports, and we want to encourage them to play sports whenever possible. We’re happy to discuss mouthguards with our patients in Northwest Arkansas. Schedule an appointment to see us today!
