As the name suggests, a mouthguard serves the basic purpose of protecting your mouth. It is a rubber like cover that is tailor made to fit your teeth and gums. The mouthguard serves as a protective shield and prevents any kind of damage to your teeth and gums.
Need for mouthguards
Almost anyone and everyone can make use of mouthguards. But, it is people involved in physical sports who need them more. When you are involved in any kind of sport that could harm your teeth or jaws in any way, wearing a mouthguard can be of great help.
Rough sports like rugby, boxing and football could cause serious damage to your teeth and jaws. They could even cause dislocation of the jaw or broken teeth. Using a mouthguard can help prevent all these problems and keep your teeth and jaws in good health. Besides, a mouthguard also protects your jaw, neck and brain. In case, there is a heavy blow, the mouthguard can prevent concussion and further damage.
Using a mouthguard
Using a mouthguard is pretty simple. You are just required to fit in the mouthguard on to your teeth and gums and be carefree about your teeth. However, when using mouthguards, you will have to change them quite frequently. The frequency with which the mouthguards need to be changed depends primarily on your age. If you are still in your growing years, your teeth will grow too and the position of the mouthguard will change. So, you will need to change your mouthguard to suit the altered position of the teeth.
Further on, the wear and tear of the mouthguard is another factor that determines whether a change of mouthguard is required or not. If you are actively involved into sports or other such strenuous activities that may cause damage to your teeth, then your mouthguard is bound to wear off much faster. This means you will need a replacement earlier.
Getting a mouthguard
There is a no one-size-fits-all option for mouthguards. Every individuals has a distinct set of teeth and gums, so the mouthguard will vary from one individual to the other. You can ask your dentist to make a custom made mouthguard for you. The dentist will take an impression of your jaws and then order a mouthguard that fits the same. This custom made mouthguard will fit your teeth and jaws perfectly.
Alternatively, you can also make use of mouthguard kits. These kits involve putting the mouthguard in hot water and then putting it over the jaw till the time it adjusts itself.
Cost of mouthguards
Quite contrary to popular belief, mouthguards are not very expensive. In fact, for the protection that they offer you, their price is more than just worth it. Since mouthguards are custom made, their cost will vary from one dentist to the other.
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