The Two Most Common Uses for Mouth Guards

Having good oral health is essential to the proper functioning of many other parts of your body. Routine care of your teeth, including daily brushing and flossing, is extremely important. You also should visit your dentist regularly, for a check-up and cleaning.

When you see the dentist, you should mention any issues that they may not be aware of just by looking in your mouth. Here we discuss some reasons you might want to talk to your dentist about a mouth guard.

A mouth guard is a one-piece device placed over the upper row of teeth (or sometimes the lower teeth for grinding).

It's typically made of acrylic or another soft plastic.

1. People who play contact sports including football, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, and several other sports (both contact and non-contact) usually wear mouth guards to protect themselves from dental injury.
2. Adults and children suffering from TMJ (tooth grinding) can also benefit from wearing a mouth guard while sleeping. It keeps the teeth separated so you can't clench or grind them together.

If you or your child plays a sport that might involve contact with the face, you should invest in a mouth guard for protection. Likewise, using a mouth guard when you sleep could prevent long-term damage to your teeth from grinding. The American Dental Association (ADA)strongly encourages raising awareness about the importance of mouth guards for protecting your teeth.

For maximum effectiveness, the mouth guard should be as closely fitted to your teeth as possible by your dentist. Those that you can buy at retail stores are of the one-size-fits-all variety and probably won't provide reliable protection.

You should keep your mouth guard in a protective case when not using it and clean it according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Ronald A. Murphy, DMD and his team serve the Batavia, IL area. See them for a custom designed and fitted mouth guard.

Please contact usto schedule an appointment for a consultation or dental services.