In sports and recreational activities, one safety tool often overlooked is the custom-fitted mouthguard. Unfortunately, many individuals only realize the importance of a mouthguard after an injury has occurred. The primary purpose of a mouthguard is to protect your teeth and jaw during impact. A properly fitted mouthguard does this and much more. Here are five key benefits of custom-fitted mouthguards, as highlighted by the Antalya Dentists Directory.
1. Proper Fit
Mouthguards are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each person’s teeth, jaw, and mouth are unique in size and shape. While pre-formed or mouth-formed guards from sporting goods or department stores are available, they often provide an inadequate fit. Pre-formed guards are the least effective, as they require you to keep your mouth closed to hold them in place, making it difficult to breathe and talk. Mouth-formed or “boil-and-bite” mouthguards offer a slightly better fit but still do not conform to the teeth as well as a custom-fitted mouthguard.
A custom-fitted mouthguard is designed with your specific dental needs and the sport you play in mind. This ensures that any braces or dental appliances you have are also protected. To create a custom-fitted mouthguard, your dentist takes an impression of your teeth, which is then used to make a near-perfect model of your mouth. This model is sent to a dental lab, where your mouthguard is carefully molded to provide an optimal fit. Once the mouthguard is ready, your dentist will check the fit and ensure you are satisfied.
2. Comfort
Because a custom-fitted mouthguard is made directly from an impression of your mouth, it eliminates unnecessary bulk. The mouthguard should fit securely without requiring you to keep your mouth closed, allowing for easier breathing, talking, and swallowing.
The increased comfort of custom-fitted mouthguards makes them more likely to be worn consistently. This is especially important for children, who might otherwise remove or “forget” to wear an uncomfortable mouthguard during practice. Introducing custom-fit mouthguards to children early on increases the likelihood that they will continue using them as they grow older.
3. Maximum Protection
A custom-fitted mouthguard from a dentist will cover all of your teeth and provide superior protection. In the event of impact, this mouthguard will absorb the shock and distribute it evenly. According to the International Academy of Sports Dentistry, a well-made mouthguard “separates the mandible (lower jaw) and maxilla (upper jaw), thereby buffering the transmission of concussive effects to the base of the brain.” With the rise of concussions among young athletes, properly fitting mouthguards are a smart preventative measure for anyone involved in contact sports.
Custom-fitted mouthguards also protect any dental appliances, such as braces, retainers, or implant-supported dentures, which can be expensive to repair.
4. Correct Thickness
The appropriate thickness of a mouthguard depends on the activities you engage in. For high-contact sports like boxing, hockey, and football, a thicker mouthguard is necessary to withstand impact. For low-contact sports like tennis and racquetball, a thinner mouthguard may suffice, as the risk of severe impact is lower.
5. Cost-Effective Prevention
In dentistry, prevention is always more cost-effective than treatment. Wearing a mouthguard before an injury occurs can save you from expensive dental reconstruction later. While the cheapest option is a pre-formed or boil-and-bite mouthguard from a drugstore, these provide minimal protection and comfort. The cost of replacing knocked-out teeth, treating cuts from braces, or dealing with more severe trauma far exceeds the investment in a custom-fitted mouthguard. Protecting any existing dental work, such as porcelain veneers or dental implants, is also a wise decision.
For custom-fitted mouthguards in Antalya, contact an Antalya dentist to schedule an appointment today.
