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Dental mouthguards offer many benefits to users. In fact, one of the best ways to protect your smile during rigorous activities is by using a mouthguard. These also work wonders for patients who suffer with nighttime bruxism (or teeth grinding).

Dr. S. Blair Jones, your Mansfield, TX dentist discusses the advantages of dental mouthguards with his patients in the following post.

Advantages to Wearing a Mouthguard

A couple of reasons make dental mouthguards valuable and useful; the first applies to athletes. If you’re an athlete, regardless of age, your teeth have been placed in a vulnerable position. In those situations, they’re more prone to injury and fracture. Additionally, wearing a mouthguard helps prevent bone and tooth root damage. Furthermore, with a mouthguard, your teeth can’t make contact with the soft tissues in your mouth, such as the lips, tongue, and cheeks; this also decreases the possibility of causing damage to those areas.

The second reason why mouthguards have proven beneficial is to prohibit teeth grinders from harming their teeth. Teeth grinding or clenching tends to happen while people sleep. This can cause headaches, jaw pain, and the development of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Should you fall under these categories, your Mansfield, TX dentist strongly urges patients to start using mouthguards.

Types of Dental Mouthguards

  • Stock mouthguards. This type of dental mouthguard is easy-to-find—at practically any sporting goods store—and ready-to-use right out of the package. The downside to stock mouth pieces is the size, which only comes in small, medium, or large.
  • Boil-and-bite mouthguards. These mouthguards have a malleable fit. The thermoplastic material that softens in hot water, which is then contoured to your teeth.
  • Custom-fitted mouthguards. A custom-made mouthguard is the best way to protect your smile. To have one made, the dentist takes impressions of your teeth and sends the model to a lab. Once there, a technician makes the mold from a specialized material and returns it to the dentist for your personal use.

Mansfield Dental Associates Can Prescribe Mouthguards to Patients

For more information on the use of dental mouthguards, consult with Dr. Jones. Your Mansfield, TX dentist can discuss mouthguard options with you and help you find one that can accommodate your needs. To schedule an appointment, call our Mansfield office at (817) 259-1357. You can also schedule appointments through our website, and review the additional services we offer. We proudly treat patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian and neighboring areas.