A mouthguard (mouth protector) is a flexible custom-fit device worn over teeth to protect them from harm during sports and leisure activities. If you have braces, fixed anterior bridgework, or just wish to protect your teeth and smile from potential harm, a well-fitting mouth guard may be very helpful. Blows and physical contact can cause damage to the teeth, brackets, and/or other fixed appliances. Mouthguards and Denture Melbourne can protect the teeth, brackets, and/or other fixed appliances. Mouthguards can also function as a barrier between the teeth and the cheeks, as well as between the lips and the tongue, reducing the chance of soft tissue damage.
A mouthguard usually just protects the top teeth. A mouth guard on the lower teeth may be recommended by dentists for athletes with a projecting jaw or those who wear braces or other dental appliances (such as retainers, bridgework, or implant-supported dentures) on their lower jaw. A mouthguard is a crucial preventative measure for athletes of all ages and skills, as it helps to prevent chipped or broken teeth, root and bone damage, and tooth loss. Mouthguards Melbourne also assist to prevent catastrophic injuries such jaw fractures, cerebral bleeding, concussions, and neck injuries by preventing the lower jaw from colliding with the upper jaw. Mouth guards help athletes with orthodontic equipment avoid cutting and bruising of the lips, tongue, and cheeks by keeping soft tissue in the oral cavity away from the teeth. There are three types of mouth guards:
- Stock mouthguards are pre-formed and ready to wear and may be found at sports goods and pharmacy stores. They're the cheapest, but they're also the worst-fitting, most uncomfortable, and least protective. These pre-formed guards, which are made of rubber or polyvinyl, can be bulky, increase the risk of gagging, and make breathing and speech difficult since they require the jaw to be closed to keep them in place.
- Mouthguards that are produced in the mouth can be either shell liners or boil-and-bite mouthguards. The first is made of acrylic gel or rubber, which moulds to the teeth and hardens to maintain its form. The second kind, made of thermoplastic, is shaped and moulded to the curves of the teeth using the fingers, lips, tongue, and biting pressure after being immersed in hot water.
- Custom-fitted mouthguards are more expensive than other types of mouthguards, but since they are manufactured from a cast to perfectly fit your teeth, they give the best fit, comfort, and protection. Your dentist takes an imprint of your teeth, which is then used as a mould by a dental laboratory technician, either in the dentist's office or at an off-site dental laboratory, to build a custom-fitted mouthguard.
Mouth guards that are custom-fitted are meant to cover all of the teeth and protect the chin from falls and impacts. For comfort against the teeth and gums, some custom-fitted mouthguards contain firm outer layers and soft inner linings. Some are constructed of acrylic, but others are semi-rigid, flexible, and created using materials that are safe for those with acrylic allergies.
