How To Properly Wear And Care For Your Mouth guard

Several dental problems can necessitate the use of a mouth guard. These dental problems include broken teeth, displacement, missing teeth, and soft tissue injuries. In addition to that, teeth grinding can lead to loose teeth and increased tooth sensitivity. Moreover, teeth grinding can damage dental bridges, crowns, and fillings.

The good news is a mouth guard can be used to protect your teeth and gums and ease bruxism. This article will give you all the needed information on mouth guards, their benefits, and how to take care of these dental appliances.

What Are the Benefits of Using A Mouthguard?

There are different benefits of wearing these dental devices.

First, if you are looking for a solution for teeth grinding, it would be best to look for a dentist who fixes mouth guards in Plano, TX. Wearing a night guard ensures that your upper and lower jaw teeth have no contact when sleeping. Teeth grinding can cause enamel loss and increase teeth sensitivity.

When you sleep, you can subconsciously clench your jaw, which puts your temporomandibular joint under pressure. This clenching can lead to temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). A dental guard will help reduce the pressure exerted on your jaw joint. If you experience jaw pain, it is recommended to look for a dentist who can fix a mouth guard in Plano, which is custom-made for your needs.

Morning headaches can be a result of teeth clenching and jaw tension. These problems can lead to aches, neck pains, earaches, and muscle fatigue. However, getting a custom-made night guard for your teeth can help fix these problems.

 How to Wear A Mouth Guard

There are different procedures for wearing a mouth guard, depending on your type of mouth guard.

If you have bought an over-the-counter mouth guard, you should gather the necessary materials. They include a towel, a bowl of ice water, and scissors. Next, trim the mouth guard to ensure it fits well in your mouth. Put it in your mouth and feel how it feels, then cut the larger parts.

The next step is submerging the mouth guard in boiling water. Let it boil for about 60 seconds. After the boiling is complete, remove the guard carefully from the water and use your thumbs to push the mouth guard at the back of your molars. Bite down using a little pressure to make teeth impressions on the surface of your mouth guard. Create pressure by placing your tongue against the roof of your mouth to get a perfect fit for the mouth guard.

Once you have gotten a perfect fit, deep the dental guard in the ice water and let it cool for about a minute or two; after this, the guard should fit naturally in your lower jaw teeth and snugly in your upper jaw teeth.

For a custom-made mouth guard, you will have to place it in boiling water and then put the guard in your mouth using your thumb fingers.

Cleaning and Storing Your Mouth guard

Once you have removed the mouth guard, clean it with antibacterial soap, gentle toothpaste, or alcohol-free mouth wash. Let the dental appliance dry completely before storing it. This is important as a bit of moisture can foster bacterial growth.

Ensure you store your mouth guard away from pets that can chew the appliance. In addition to that, make sure the place you store the guard is not in contact with direct sunlight or hot air. This temperature can make the dental appliance less effective.

When to See a Dentist About Your Mouth Guard

First, it is essential to go for deep cleaning once every month in Lutke Dental. This will help keep the dental appliance free of bacteria.

It is not normal to feel sore when you have worn your mouth guard for some time. However, if you experience persistent pain every time you wear your dental guard, then it would be best to visit the dental office in Plano, TX, so that the dentist can relieve the pain and fix your guard.

Your teeth change gradually in time, making the guard feel loose-fitting or tight. When this is the case, you should visit the dentist so that they can adjust the guard.