What are the different types of mouthguards and what mouthguard is best for you are some of the most common questions on mouthguards. An old adage says that a smiling face is the best looking face. And yet, how many of us feel confident to wear a winning smile all day? Not many. The reason for our hesitation could be multifold – distorted teeth, misaligned jaw-line, stains, etc. While advanced dental treatments do help fix these issues for the long term, mouth guards can also protect your teeth against damage.
Nightguards for Bruxism
Bruxism is a medical condition where we frequently grind our teeth. This is often triggered by fear, stress and anxiety, and can hence get worse at night when we feel less in control. It also damages your teeth with the potential for gum inflammation too!
If you are a serial teeth grinder, the nightguard is your type of mouthguard. It is fittingly named, as it is meant to be worn without discomfort during sleep. An added bonus is the enhanced quality of restfulness you may experience with your teeth less restless all night.
Splints for TMJ disorders
Temporomandibular joint or TMJ is a jaw-disorder suspected to affect more than 10 million Americans. If you find yourself frequently experiencing frequent discomfort around your jaw/ teeth joints, pain near your ears, lock jaw, facial aches and other jaw related pains, you may be potentially suffering from TMJ.
A mouthguard or a night splint can provide immediate relief, while also aligning your jaw for long-term benefits. Since this is triggered by a medical condition, do ensure that you check with your dentist before using a mouthguard as a possible fix.
Mouthguards for protection from injuries
If you are an active athlete or enjoy frequently getting dirty with a ball on the field, your body is likely to take its share of hits and misses. This includes your mouth, which may be especially vulnerable while playing football, soccer, hockey and other active sports. For this, a mouth guard for sports is the straightforward solution to protect your teeth from risk of injury. Also, you only wear it when you’re playing.
Over the counter Stockguards
Regardless of the type of mouthguard you seek, a stockguard is the kind that is easily available over the counter, often without prescription, so you can quickly tap into its many benefits. Unfortunately, this also means that one size is expected to fit all, which may or may not address your unique situation.
Boil-and-bite mouthguards
Don’t let the quirky name put you off. They mean it literally but in a non-threatening way, as this type is more customizable than stockguards. Here, you put the mouthguard in hot water, making it malleable, and then put it into your mouth (while it’s still warm), so it aligns itself to the shape of your jaws and teeth. As you can guess, this is a step up over stockguards.
Custom-made mouthguards
These are more expensive but are perfectly customized for you. These are also recommended if you are treating a long-term condition (like TMJ, Bruxism, etc.) In this, your dentist takes precise measurements of your jaw and teeth, before ordering a mouth guard individualized for your unique pearly whites. This also means that they fit without discomfort and last significantly longer than other types of mouthguards.
Do Insurances cover mouthguards?
Several insurances have coverages for mouthguards especially if the dentist prescribes them for Bruxism. At Sunshine Smiles Dentistry we see patients who have Aetna, United HealthCare, Delta Dental and several other dental insurances. Even if you do not have dental insurance we can offer you an in house membership plan to make mouthguards more affordable for you. Watch our video on different types of mouth guards as well.
What type of mouthguard should you choose? Our North Atlanta Dentist Answers
Our local dentists near Roswell, Georgia at Sunshine Smiles Dentistry has years of experience in recommending the right mouth protection treatments, including custom mouthguards for every type of face. Book an online appointment to find the perfect mouthguard for your face today.