Keeping your smile safe while you indulge in a sports activity is one of the crucial things. For this sake, the mouth guard plays an important role. But what if you are going through a teeth straightening procedure with braces or clear aligners? How can you maintain your smile during sports? You might not want to harm your smile while you are in the ring or court, trying to focus on your game. In this blog, we will explore the best mouth guards during a teeth-straightening procedure.
What are Mouth Guards?
The mouth guard is dental equipment that is placed inside the mouth to prevent sports-related injuries. It acts as a cushion and absorbs any force applied to your mouth and prevents dental damage.
Types of Mouth Guards
While understanding mouth guards it is important to know their types as well. Each type offers a different level of protection therefore you must choose depending on your needs. The following are three main types of mouth guard:
1. Stock Mouth Guards
These are the pre-made dental guards that are available at any sports goods shop. Since they are ready to wear, they do not offer a perfect fit and can be loose or tight to your smile. Therefore, they do not offer you complete protection. If you are looking for the least expensive option, stock mouth guards can help you out.
2. Boil and Bite Mouth Guards
This type of mouth guard is a thermoplastic material that fits slightly to your smile. Before using it, you need to place it in the boiling water to soften it. Once it is softened, place it in your mouth and adjust it with the help of your tongue and teeth. As you can adjust it according to your requirements, it offers more protection than the stock mouth guard.
3. Custom Fit Mouth Guards
Custom-fit mouth guards are tailored under the supervision of a professional. They are manufactured with the help of your dental impressions and offer a perfect fit. They are comfortable and offer enhanced protection. They can be slightly more expensive than the other options but protect your smile completely.
Wearing Mouth Guards with Braces or Clear Aligners
A teeth straightening procedure is responsible for aligning your smile. If your teeth are misaligned, the procedure helps you shift them to the position you want. But what if you are an athlete going through an orthodontic treatment?
The following will help you understand if you can wear a mouth guard with a teeth straightening appliance or not.
Metal Braces
Metal braces treatment is a traditional way to align your smile. These are metal brackets and wires that are glued to your teeth. They require frequent dental visits for the wire adjustments to move your teeth to the desired position.
The advancement in orthodontics allows you to protect your smile with a mouth guard, even if you have braces on. Get your mouth guard customized according to the size of your mouth and protect your smile.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are a series of plastic dental trays that are placed inside your mouth. They are made of BPA-free plastic and are customized to offer a perfect fit. They work by applying gentle pressure to your teeth and shifting them to the position you require. They are invisible and less painful which makes them the perfect alternative for metal braces treatment.
If you are going through clear aligners treatment and wondering if you can wear a mouth guard with your aligners on, the answer is no. Clear aligners are easily removable from your teeth. Remove your aligners and store them in a protective case, put your mouth guard on, and focus on your smile.
Benefits of Wearing Mouth Guards
The following are some benefits of wearing a mouth guard during intense sports activity:
Protection Against Injury
One of the main benefits of wearing a mouth guard is to protect your smile against dental injuries. A hard blow or push can cause severe damage to your smile such as a broken or chipped tooth.
For people wearing braces, a force on your smile can damage the metal wire which can bruise your gums or cheeks. For both these conditions, wearing a mouth guard acts as a cushion and prevents a blow from causing any damage.
Keeps Your Teeth Straightening Treatment Safe
Whether you have undergone a teeth straightening procedure or still going through it, protecting your treatment is important. What if a hard blow damages your perfect smile and wastes your treatment? To prevent this, mouth guards are introduced in the orthodontic world keeping your dream smile safe.
Improves Game
When you are wearing a mouth guard you can play without the fear of getting your smile harmed. Therefore, wearing a mouth guard improves your game and helps you focus.
Tips For Maintaining Your Mouth Guard
If you want your dental gear to last for a longer duration, the following are some tips for you:
Do Not Bite
When an athlete experiences anxiety before the game, they might bite on the mouth guard. If you do so, it can damage your mouth guard losing its effectiveness. Therefore, avoid biting on your mouth guard to improve its longevity.
Proper Cleaning
When it comes to your dental equipment, it is important to keep them clean. Before putting your mouth guard on, rinse it under water to remove any dust or bacteria present on it. You can also use a soft-bristled brush to clean it.
Store in a Plastic Case
Ensure storing your mouth guard in a case to avoid damaging or losing it. When you remove it place it inside a plastic case that comes with it.
Protect Your Teeth with Smilepath
As a customized mouth guard that offers enhanced protection, Smilepath offers a comfortable dental product for your smile protection. Here is how to get started:
- Place the order for your mouth guard and we will deliver an impression kit to your doorstep.
- By following the instructions provided in the user manual create your smile impressions. Send them back to us for customization.
- Receive your customized mouth guard and wear it to protect your smile.
To sum it up, mouth guards are responsible for keeping your smile protected throughout the game. If you are an athlete and participate in sports activities, you can get a mouth guard customized for braces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mouth guards are dental gears that are placed inside the mouth. They act as a shock absorber and prevent sports-related injury.
Yes! You can wear a mouth guard with braces as they can be customized according to the size of your mouth.
A mouth guard lasts for almost a year if handled with proper care. If you experience a slight wear or tear on your dental product, get it replaced.
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