If you’re getting braces or have already had them put on, it’s important to wear a mouthguard at night because of your increased risk of teeth grinding or clenching while sleeping. Braces can make teeth sensitive, so if you don’t wear a mouthguard while sleeping you could end up with an abrasion on your gums from your braces hitting them repeatedly during the night, which could then lead to more serious problems like gum disease or tooth loss.
Why You Should Have One
Having braces can be a great way to correct your teeth and improve your overall appearance, but you may have heard that there are some limitations to them. That’s true — one of those limitations is that it’s difficult to get used to using a mouth guard for braces. Fortunately, if you ask your orthodontist about getting a special mouth guard for braces, he or she will recommend one because it can greatly benefit your oral health and quality of life. What Is a Mouth Guard? Mists Guard (or mouth guard) is a device created by dentists which fits over top of your braces.
How to Choose the Right Mouthguard
There are a few things to consider when choosing a mouthguard for braces. Do you want a clear or colored guard? Will you need more than one kind of guard for different sports? What kind of activity do you want to participate in while wearing your mouthguard? These things can affect what kind of guard is best for you and your teeth. The best thing to do is to talk with your dentist about what will work best for you. They’ll know how much force will be on your teeth during each sport and how much protection each mouthguard will provide; they’ll also know if any of your teeth are at risk of damage from impact.
Types of Mouthguards
There are two types of mouthguards for braces: custom-made or boil and bite. Custom-made mouthguards offer greater comfort and protection from injury, but they’re also more expensive. If you have teeth grinding or clenching issues that could contribute to wearing down your teeth, a custom mouthguard may be worth the investment. Boil and bite mouthguards can be easily made with plastic that is softened in boiling water; these require no special trip to a dentist, although some people find them uncomfortable. Be sure to buy a boil and bite mouthguard that has been tested by your orthodontist; otherwise it may fit poorly—and make clenching even worse.
How to Care and Clean Your Mouthguards
Good oral hygiene is important for your teeth and gums. Use a soft bristle toothbrush to brush your mouthguard twice a day, in order to remove bacteria and plaque build-up. Rinse it after every use with warm water, but don’t soak it for extended periods of time. In fact, you should never soak your mouth guard in any solution longer than one hour, as some of these solutions can damage your mouth guard and cause discoloration or rusting. In addition to these guidelines, consult with your dentist regularly about how often you need to replace or get a new mouth guard.
