Custom-Made Mouthguards Or Over-The-Counter Mouthguards? Which One Is Right For You?
Mouth guards are important tools to ensure that teeth are protected during dental treatment. Mouth guards are also used to combat teeth grinding and in some sports competitions, prevent impacts to the mouth from damaging the teeth. They can be custom-made for the user’s mouth and teeth, or they can be ready-made and available over the counter. In addition to this basic difference, there may be differences between mouthguards according to their intended use or the materials used. To buy the right mouth guard, it is very important to know about the types of them, especially for first-time buyers.
In this article, we discuss custom-made and over-the-counter mouthguards. Once you understand the differences between these two types in detail, you can choose the most suitable mouthguard.
Before moving on to the types of mouthguards, it is important to understand their roles in dental treatment as it can be an important factor in mouthguard choice.
The Role Of Mouthguards In Dental Treatments
Mouthguards probably provide one of the most critical benefits by supporting other oral treatments. Here are the dental applications where mouthguards are used.
- Orthodontic Treatments
- Teeth Clenching and Teeth Grinding Treatments
- Sleep Apnea Treatment
- Teeth Whitening Treatment
- Gum Surgery
Custom-made Mouthguards Or Over-the-counter Mouthguards?
As mentioned above, mouthguards are used as protection both in some physical activities and in some dental treatments. But when you need to use a mouth guard, should you buy a custom-made one, or are standard over-the-counter mouth guards?
We believe that the best decision for this can be made with your dentist. Dentists can prescribe any type of mouth guard for you, taking into account many factors such as the reason you use a mouth guard, your mouth and teeth size, and your social life. Now, to give you an idea, let’s examine both types of mouthguards in detail.
Custom-made Mouth Guards
Custom-made mouthguards are tailor-made for you. As the name suggests, this type of mouth guard is completely custom-made just for you.
Advantages:
- Because they are made specifically for your mouth, they are very adaptable. Thus, you will not have any difficulty in eating, drinking, and speaking.
- Since the production is customized for you, you can add design features according to the sport you do or according to the intensity of your needs.
- The perfect fit in your mouth makes your mouth guard more durable and long-lasting.
- It protects your teeth and mouth more effectively.
Disadvantages:
- Custom-made mouthguards are usually more expensive.
- Since it is an exclusive product, the design and production stages may take a long time.
Over-the-counter Mouth Guards
Standard over-the-counter mouthguards are often used in combat sports where there is physical contact. The use of such mouthguards may not be linked to any dental treatment and therefore do not need to be prescribed by a dentist.
Advantages:
- Available in pharmacies, sports shops, and many online stores.
- Their prices are usually more affordable because they are not customized.
- Since they are not custom-made, you do not need to wait for the design and production process, you can buy and use them immediately.
Disadvantages:
- Since it is not custom-made, it may not fit perfectly with the anatomy of the mouth.
- The level of protection may be relatively lower because it is not in full harmony with the mouth and teeth.
- They may not last as long as custom-made mouthguards.
Which Type Of Mouthguard Should I Buy?
We recommend that you talk to your dentist to make the best decision about which type of mouthguard you should get. However, it is still good to consider the following factors before seeing your dentist:
Current Dental Treatment:
If you are undergoing any dental treatment, be sure to use a mouth guard that your dentist deems appropriate. This will usually be a mouth guard custom-made for you by the dentist.
Budget:
You may not always have a high budget. Therefore, standard over-the-counter mouthguards at affordable prices may be suitable for you.
However, if you are considering long-term use, you can still have a look at custom-made mouthguards due to their durability and longevity.
Degree of Need:
If you are a professional athlete, custom-made mouthguards are more suitable for regular training and matches. If you envision temporary or infrequent use, over-the-counter mouthguards may be a better start.
Comfort:
If your first priority is to have a mouth guard that fits the anatomical structure of your mouth, you will be better off with a custom-designed mouth guard.
Lifespan:
If you plan to use it only a few times, standard over-the-counter mouthguards may be good for you. However, if you plan on continuous and long-term use, a custom-made mouthguard promises a longer life.
Conclusion
To summarize, customized mouthguards are more anatomical and long-lasting, while over-the-counter standard mouthguards are characterized by their quick use and affordable prices.
If you are considering buying a mouthguard as a requirement for your dental treatment or use in physical activities, do not forget to seek expert help.
Melsadent Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic, which is one of the first institutions that come to mind when it comes to dental clinics in Tuzla, is at your side in mouth guard and all other oral and dental health issues.
We offer the best service for our valued patients with our expert dentist staff and state-of-the-art technology devices. If you are looking for a dentist in Tuzla where you can get information about oral and dental health and where you can entrust yourself with peace of mind for any dental treatment, you should visit Melsadent.
