Do you or your child play contact sports like lacrosse, soccer, or football? Do you grind your teeth at night and end up with tooth damage? If so, a custom mouthguard from our dentist is what you need. Dr. Melvin Benson provides custom mouthguards in Sarasota, FL.
We offer mouthguards as part of our general dental care to give you the best protection for your teeth. Custom mouthguards can shield your teeth, braces, and other dental work from damage or loss. They help keep your oral health in top shape. Unlike store-bought mouthguards, those made by a dentist fit your teeth perfectly and are made from high-quality materials.
Custom Sports Mouthguards in Sarasota, FL
If you play sports like football, lacrosse, hockey, or wrestling, wearing a mouthguard is a good idea. You can choose between a store-bought mouthguard or a custom one from your dentist. While store-bought mouthguards are cheaper, a custom one is more comfortable, durable, and offers better protection, making it a smart choice for your safety.
Here’s why a custom sports mouthguard from a dentist is better than a store-bought one:
- Custom Fit: We make a mouthguard that fits your teeth perfectly, so it’s comfortable and stays in place. Store-bought mouthguards don’t fit as well and might not protect you as effectively.
- Personalized Design: You can choose the color of your custom mouthguard. Store-bought ones usually come in limited designs.
- Better Protection: Custom mouthguards are designed just for you, offering better shock absorption and protection against dental injuries.
- Durability: Made from high-quality materials, custom mouthguards last longer. Store-bought ones may wear out quickly and need replacing often.
- Comfort: A custom mouthguard fits better and is more comfortable, so you’re more likely to wear it consistently.
- Improved Speech and Breathing: Custom mouthguards can be designed to allow clear speech and easy breathing, which is important during sports.
Choosing a top-quality mouthguard helps protect your teeth and reduce the risk of injury. We often see patients with sports injuries that could have been avoided with a custom mouthguard. The benefits include:
- Reducing the chance of injured or knocked-out teeth
- Minimizing bruising to the mouth
- Protecting the lower jaw
- Reducing stress on the neck
- Preventing teeth from chipping or cracking
Getting Your Custom Sports Mouthguard Made
We take impressions of your teeth to create a mouthguard that fits perfectly. This way, you won’t have to worry about the mouthguard moving around. The impressions are sent to a lab where the mouthguard is made from flexible plastic.
To keep your mouthguard fresh and clean, wash it regularly with an antibacterial solution after use and store it in its ventilated case.
Custom Mouthguards for TMD: Night Guards
A night guard for TMJ is a special appliance for people with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). TMD can cause jaw pain, headaches, and trouble opening or closing your mouth.
A night guard is a custom-made device you wear while you sleep. It helps prevent teeth grinding and clenching, which are common causes of TMJ problems. The night guard cushions your teeth, protecting them from grinding and clenching and reducing jaw damage.
Key features of a night guard for TMJ/TMD include:
- Custom Fit: We create a night guard that fits your teeth exactly, ensuring comfort and effectiveness.
- Cushioning and Protection: The night guard acts as a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, absorbing the impact from grinding and clenching.
- Muscle Relaxation: By preventing hard contact between your teeth, the night guard helps your jaw muscles relax.
- Pain Relief: If you have jaw pain, a night guard can help reduce it by minimizing the effects of teeth grinding.
- Prevention of Dental Issues: A night guard helps prevent problems like worn-down, cracked, or chipped teeth and enamel erosion.
Can You Use a Custom Sports Mouthguard for TMD?
Although sports mouthguards and night guards might look similar, they are designed for different purposes. Sports mouthguards cover both arches of your teeth and protect against impact. Night guards, on the other hand, consist of hard acrylic and cover only one arch (upper or lower) to prevent grinding and clenching. For the best protection, it’s important to choose the right type of mouthguard for your needs.
Schedule Your Appointment for a Custom Mouthguard in Sarasota, FL today!
Call our office today to book your appointment for a custom mouthguard. Dr. Benson can create one for sports or for teeth grinding. Our mouthguards offer superior protection for your teeth and soft tissues. You can reach our office to book an appointment by calling 941-270-9755, or request an appointment with us online.