Mouthguards in Lake Nona, FL

Mouthguards come in several varieties, each designed to meet different needs and budgets. Understanding your options helps you make the best choice for your specific situation and lifestyle.

Stock Mouthguards

Stock mouthguards are pre-formed and ready to wear straight from the package. While they’re the most affordable option, they often provide a bulky fit that can make breathing and speaking difficult during activities.

Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards

These thermoplastic guards soften in hot water, allowing you to bite down and create a semi-custom fit. They offer better comfort than stock versions but may not provide the precise fit needed for optimal protection.

Custom-Made Mouthguards

Professional custom mouthguards are created from impressions of your teeth, ensuring a perfect fit that maximizes both protection and comfort. Our dental team fabricates these guards using high-quality materials that resist tearing and provide long-lasting durability.

Sports-related dental injuries account for a significant portion of emergency dental visits, particularly among young athletes. The American Dental Association strongly recommends mouthguards for contact sports and activities where dental trauma is likely to occur.

Contact sports pose the highest risk for dental injuries. Football, hockey, lacrosse, and boxing all involve direct player contact that can result in various injuries, including:

• Knocked-out teeth
• Fractured jaws
• Severe lip and tongue lacerations

Even non-contact sports like gymnastics, skateboarding, and cycling can lead to falls that impact the mouth and face.

Beyond preventing tooth loss, mouthguards help reduce the severity of concussions by cushioning impacts to the jaw. They also protect against soft tissue injuries, preventing painful cuts to the cheeks and tongue that can occur when teeth are driven into these delicate areas during impact.

How Do Custom Mouthguards Compare to Store-Bought Options?

The difference between custom and over-the-counter mouthguards extends far beyond price. Professional mouthguards offer superior protection through precise engineering and high-quality materials that drugstore versions cannot match.

Fit and Comfort

Custom mouthguards conform precisely to your teeth and gums, eliminating the bulky feeling often associated with generic options. This precise fit enables easier breathing, clearer speech, and improved focus during activities. Athletes frequently report that they forget they’re wearing their custom guard during competition.

Protection Level

The tailored design of custom mouthguards distributes impact forces more effectively across your entire dental arch. Store-bought guards may shift during activity, leaving vulnerable areas exposed to potential injury. Custom guards maintain their position throughout even the most intense physical activity.

Durability and Longevity

Professional-grade materials used in custom mouthguards resist cracking, tearing, and wear better than mass-produced alternatives. While the initial investment is higher, custom guards typically last multiple seasons with proper care, making them more cost-effective in the long run.

Do Night Guards Help With Teeth Grinding?

Nighttime teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, affects millions of Americans and can cause severe dental damage over time. Many people grind their teeth unconsciously during sleep, putting tremendous pressure on tooth enamel and jaw joints.

Custom night guards create a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, preventing direct contact that causes wear and fractures. The American Dental Association notes a significant increase in teeth grinding cases, with over 70% of dentists reporting signs of this condition in their patients. Unlike sports mouthguards, night guards are designed for extended wear and optimal comfort during sleep.

Professional night guards also help reduce jaw tension and muscle strain that contribute to morning headaches and facial pain. The custom fit ensures the guard stays in place throughout the night without causing discomfort that might disrupt your sleep patterns.

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