Sports Mouthguards in Mount Pleasant, MI
Do you or your child play contact sports? It is estimated that 5 million teeth will be knocked out due to sports this year alone. Your smile is an investment, whether you have invested time taking care of your teeth or you have invested money into making your smile the way you always wanted it to be. Protect your teeth and your child’s teeth from injury with a custom mouthguard. According to the American Dental Association, sports mouthguards can prevent over 200,000 injuries a year.
In many instances, your smile is the first thing people notice about you. If you are involved in any sports, such as football, baseball, or basketball, you may want to protect your smile. No matter your age, young or old, you may want to consider a custom-fit mouthguard.
Visit Mid Michigan Smiles for custom sports mouthguards and other general dental services for all ages.
Benefits of Custom Sports Mouthguards
Mouthguards offer multiple benefits to patients of all ages, such as:
- A secure and stable fit
- Protection from tooth loss
- A reduced chance of concussion
- Protection of dental work from damage
The “boil and bite” mouthguards found in stores don’t offer a custom fit like professional mouthguards. Without a perfect fit, over-the-counter mouthguards can fall out or make it more difficult to speak with them. Professional mouthguards can prevent patients from resorting to restorative solutions later in life. Although our team does offer tooth bonding for chipped teeth and dental implants for missing teeth, we aim to protect healthy natural teeth.
Dr. Raymond Ribitch will work with you or your child to create a sports mouthguard that fits comfortably. He will take a mold of teeth to craft the final mouthguard. Ensure that the mouthguard is cleaned regularly with an antibacterial solution and thoroughly cleaned once a month. Cleaning the mouthguard prevents bacteria from forming and keeps it fresh for regular use.
Why Does It Need To Be Custom Fit?
- Custom Fit: Everyone has a different smile, meaning that the generic store mouthguard may not fit securely in your mouth, causing them to move during play. With a custom-fit mouthguard, you will not have to worry about the mouthguard shifting during the game or irritating your gums.
- Cool Factor: What’s cooler than keeping your teeth intact? A custom-fit mouthguard comes in a variety of colors, so you can design one that matches your unique smile. Even some of the world’s best athletes wear custom mouthguards to bring some much-needed flair to their uniforms.
- Confidence: If you have a wonderful smile, you want to do what you can to keep it protected. A custom-fit mouthguard can help reduce your risk of injury during contact sports and physical activity. So, do not be afraid any longer. Come in and get fitted for a custom-fit mouthguard. It is inexpensive and takes only a few minutes.
TMJ Nightguards
We also offer custom mouthguards for patients that suffer from TMJ disorders. Typically, when you’re grinding and clenching your teeth, it’s at night. You wake up with pain and tension in your jaw and throughout your face. You may also notice that your teeth are wearing down faster or they’re becoming cracked or damaged. Custom TMJ guards help prevent this from happening. They help to reposition the jaw and prevent your teeth from grinding together overnight.
TMJ Guards Vs. Sports Mouthguards
Many patients ask if they can use the custom mouthguard they have for both of these conditions. But it’s essential that you’re only using your mouthguard for its specific purpose. They’re designed differently. Though they’re both custom-fit to your needs, they aren’t designed to take on the task of the other kind of mouthguard.
Sports mouthguards are made of a lightweight, bulky material that absorbs shocks when you take hits while playing a sport. It’s thicker so that the pressure of the shock is dissipated throughout the material. If you try to wear a sports mouthguard to protect against TMJ, the teeth will easily grind through this lighter material. You’ll end up damaging both the mouthguard and your teeth.
TMJ guards are made of a harder, thinner material. It holds up to the pressure of grinding your teeth into it every night and protects your teeth from the impacts. Usually, it also keeps your jawbone in a position to help prevent teeth grinding. If you try to wear this mouthguard for sports, it won’t absorb any of the shocks from the hits. It’s still possible for a tooth to get knocked out or knocked loose. It’s almost as bad as if you weren’t wearing a mouthguard at all.
Mouthguard FAQs
Custom mouthguards have many benefits compared to the store-bought variety. Learn more by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions.
Should I always have to bite down on my mouthguard?
No, this is a sign that your mouthguard doesn’t fit. Biting down constantly on the mouthguard can cause harmful effects, like issues with TMJ or pain throughout the jaw and neck. A custom-fit mouthguard fits comfortably without the need to bite down.
Should I be able to close my mouth with my mouthguard in?
Yes, it should still be comfortable to keep your mouth closed. If you’re struggling to close your mouth, it’s a sign that the guard doesn’t fit right and it may not be protecting your teeth correctly.
Can my mouthguard make me sick?
If you don’t clean your mouthguard properly, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and make you sick. This includes life-threatening mold forming and bacteria that cause strep or staph infections.
Can a custom mouthguard shift my teeth?
No, a mouthguard should never be tight enough to actually shift your teeth. It should be snug enough on your teeth so you don’t have to clench them to keep them in, but not tight enough to be uncomfortable. If it’s tight enough that it’s causing some pain and discomfort, it doesn’t fit correctly.
How long do custom mouthguards last?
A mouthguard can last anywhere from a few months to a few years. If you’re wearing them for sports, we recommend replacing them at the start of each new sports season. Keep an eye on your mouthguard and take notice of any damage or wear. That’s a sign that it needs to be replaced.
Is a custom mouthguard really worth it?
Absolutely. A custom guard is the only way to ensure that it fits your teeth properly, therefore ensuring your teeth are protected. It also helps prevent future issues that come from clenching an ill-fitting mouthguard so that it stays in the mouth. Issues like TMJ disorders can develop with this prolonged behavior.
Contact Our Dental Office Today
Protect your teeth and prevent future dental work with a custom-fit professional mouthguard. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ribitch and his team today. Call us at 989-772-1344 or schedule an appointment online today.