You Might Be Surprised by a Custom Mouthguard
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a mouthguard? For a lot of people, you might be imagining a bulky, uncomfortable piece of plastic sitting in your mouth. If so, odds are you’ve tried a pre-made drugstore mouthguard, or even a boil-and-bite heat molded one. If you have never tried a custom mouthguard, you will be surprised at the difference.
Why do I need a mouthguard?
The basic answer to this question is: to protect your teeth. It can be easy to do damage to our teeth without paying attention. Sometimes, the damage might be so small that we don’t notice it until it becomes a big problem. A mouthguard can prevent this damage from happening to keep you smile as healthy and beautiful as possible.
Types of Mouth Guards
To make any mouthguard, Dr. Joseph Cavallo will take a dental mold, then create a custom mouthguard to fit your mouth, for the best comfort and protection available. There are two main categories of mouth guards: sports mouth guards, and nighttime mouth guards.
Sports Mouth Guards
The National Federation of State High School Associations requires mouth guards for four sports: football, lacrosse, field hockey, and ice hockey. Parents buying their children’s sports equipment and looking to save money may think an over-the-counter mouthguard is good enough. Unfortunately, they aren’t as good at shock absorption to protect the teeth. They are also bulky in the mouth, and can interfere with breathing.
Nighttime Mouth Guards
Nighttime mouth guards are worn while you sleep. They are generally used to protect the teeth from wear from grinding or clenching the jaw in your sleep. These are smaller than a sports mouthguard, and should fit closely over the teeth. A subset of this category, TMJ mouth guards, also known as bite plates, are designed to realign the jaw in sleep.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are interested in a mouthguard for sports or sleep, or if you are tired of your uncomfortable store-bought option, consider the office of Joseph P. Cavallo, DDS. To schedule an appointment to discuss your mouthguard needs, contact us online or at (703) 493-1203 and protect your teeth today.
Regular screenings for complex dental problems like oral cancer and gum disease can get you the early diagnosis needed to get you the right solution for your health. As an experienced dentist, Dr. Joseph Cavallo has seen numerous cases of dental issues that could have been avoided with preventive dental care. Dr. Cavallo recommends that patients should visit his Woodbridge dental office at least twice a year for routine screening, comprehensive exam, and professional dental cleanings. Each aspect of preventive dental care is set into place to help patients avoid the development of complex dental problems and to keep their smile healthy and functional.
Are you looking for a mouthguard you do not have to worry about while playing sports? Too many times we hear that our patients are struggling to try to keep their mouthguards in while playing a game. Or worse, they take them out during a game due to frustration, leaving their smiles vulnerable to impact trauma. Woodbridge, VA Dr. Cavallo provides an alternative to over the counter boil and bite mouthguards. Custom designed and fabricated, our mouthguards fit your teeth with precision so you can play your best.