Author: Familydentalcare_aDMeeN

Dental bonding is a cosmetic dentistry treatment for correcting minor flaws in your smile. It hides imperfections from your smile by fixing issues with your teeth. For example, teeth bonding rectify gaps between teeth, cracks, chips, and discoloration. The procedure also repairs teeth that are worn down, broken, or shorter than average.

Despite its effectiveness, the material used in dental bonding is susceptible to staining. You may have noticed that the parts of your teeth with dental bonding have a different color from your natural teeth. This is because the composite resin material stains easily. It stains due to consuming colored foods and beverages, smoking, or poor oral hygiene.

Naturally, you will want to remove the stains and give your teeth an even shade. However, it might not be possible since stained resin material does not respond to teeth whitening treatments. Here are some methods to help you prevent and remove deep stains on bonded teeth.

Tips to Keep Your Bonded Teeth White

1. Use a non-abrasive toothpaste with stain removal properties

Using a whitening toothpaste will help keep your teeth white and keep off stains. However, some types of stain-removing toothpaste damage the tooth enamel since they are too abrasive. So avoid using them to brush your teeth. Instead, ask your dentist to recommend toothpaste that lifts away the stains while preserving the enamel.

2. Maintain proper oral hygiene

Cleaning your teeth properly twice daily and flossing each day will help keep stains from setting on your dental bonding. In addition, routine professional teeth whitening by a dentist will help remove surface stains from the bonded teeth.

3. Avoid foods that stain the teeth

The bonding material stains easily from the foods and drinks that you take. Therefore keep your teeth from staining by avoiding red wine, coffee, colas, tea, curries, and sauces. Use a drinking straw when taking liquids that may stain your teeth. It helps to minimize their contact with teeth. You can also brush your teeth after consuming teeth-staining substances.

4. Avoid smoking or vaping

Smoking or vaping stains your teeth bonding a dull yellow, brown, or grey color. The tar and nicotine cause stains to form on your teeth. If your teeth are stained due to cigarette smoke, seek teeth whitening treatments that are not harsh to your gums and teeth.

5. Visit a dentist regularly for cleaning and check-ups

To keep your teeth whiter, visit the dentist every six months for dental exams and cleanings. The dentist will remove deep stains from your teeth through professional teeth whitening.

However, deep stains on the dental bonding cannot be removed. Therefore, only surface stains are lifted during the whitening procedure. The only option is for the dentist to remove the bonding and replace them with new ones. This straightforward touch-up procedure is offered at Family Dental Care.

Teeth Bonding Replacement Procedure

This procedure is quite similar to the procedure for fixing new dental bonding. The dental expert will first assess your teeth to determine the extent of discoloration. Next, the dentist will remove the stained dental bonding material from your teeth. This procedure stage requires special techniques and equipment not to damage the teeth structure.

The dentist will then use a shade guide to help choose the dental bonding resin color. A shade that closely matches the color of your natural teeth is picked for uniformity. If you want a brighter smile than the previous one, the dentist will whiten your teeth to the shade you desire.

Next, topical anesthesia is administered. It ensures that you remain comfortable as the dentist prepares your teeth for bonding. The expert will gently roughen the teeth’ surface to prepare them for reapplication of the resin material. Next, a liquid adhesive is applied to each tooth to help the material stick to your tooth enamel.

Finally, the dentist will apply the new material over the part of the tooth the bonding was previously located. This material is molded or shaped to achieve the desired results. It is then hardened using ultraviolet light then shaped to a smooth surface. Finally, the dental professional will polish the dental bonding material. Polishing prevents the rough edges from irritating your tongue and lips.

Over the decades, we have seen an explosion of technological advancements in all sectors, including dentistry, making our lives way easier than at any other time in history. No longer should you worry about various dental issues such as cracks, chips, and even tooth decay dictate how your smile will look.

Our dentist in Crestwood, IL, offers dental inlays and onlays to help deal with some of the structural issues plaguing your smile. Even though dental crowns and fillings exist, inlays and onlays come into play when these two options are off the table.

Are you curious to know what these dental treatments can do for your smile? Take a closer look!

What Are Dental Inlays and Onlays?

Imagine that you have minor tooth damage because of decay, but fillings will not work, or your tooth has suffered significant damage, but it’s not too severe to need a tooth crown. When these scenarios are what plague you, our dentist will recommend inlays and onlays.

Inlays are the perfect solution when your tooth has minor damage. They are used when a filling will be inappropriate to strengthen the tooth after the damaged part has been removed. Our dentist will place the inlay on the chewing surface of your damaged tooth. The inlays will fit perfectly in the hollow of your teeth and not affect the tooth cusps.

Inlays can be created from composite resin and porcelain and are much sturdier than traditional fillings. The only issue is that you might have to part with some extra dollars, but they are worth every extra coin.

Our dentist may recommend that you go for onlays when there is significant damage to your tooth’s biting surface and cusps. Fillings will be inappropriate since they are too small to fill the space left when the damaged part is removed. Plus, a filling can damage or cause the tooth to crack if a significant portion of the tooth has been removed.

On the other hand, the damage is not that extensive to warrant the use of a dental crown. Therefore, an onlay seems to be the perfect fit since it will cover the chewing surface and the cusps. This is why they are often known as partial crowns.

You can either receive direct inlays and onlays made in our office while you wait or indirect inlays and onlays made in a lab and will need more time to create them.

Benefits of Dental Inlays and Onlays

Going for inlays and onlays is always an excellent idea since they can restore a tooth that has been compromised by moderate damage or decay. This means that it comes with a set of benefits that you can enjoy, and some of them include:

• More Conservative Treatment

Dental crowns are a fantastic treatment, but the problem is that they are quite invasive. But when our dentist uses inlays and onlays, only a small portion will be removed. Our dentist will only deal with the compromised part of the tooth. On the other hand, our dentist will have to remove a significant portion of the enamel to create space for the crown to fit.

• Most Cost-Effective

Since inlays and onlays are restorative treatments, most insurance plans will cover either in part or fully. Also, they are a better long-term investment even though they are more expensive than fillings.

• More Stability

If you go for amalgam fillings, the temperature fluctuations will cause the tooth to fracture. However, porcelain onlays and inlays have a more stable structure and a better solution in the long term.

• Increased Durability

Onlays and inlays are mainly made of porcelain. This is a durable material that can strengthen the tooth and can last for more than two decades if you care for them as you should.

• More Natural Results

Onlays and inlays are made from porcelain, which looks exactly like your natural teeth. Once the restorations are placed, they will blend seamlessly, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your smile.

• Easy Aftercare

Onlays and inlays are just like your natural teeth. So, if you maintain proper oral hygiene each day, you can expect them to serve you for very many years.

Who Should Get Dental Inlays and Onlays?

You can be the perfect candidate to receive dental inlays and onlays if:

• The damage to your teeth isn’t severe to necessitate the removal of a huge chunk to create room for a tooth crown
• The damage or decay hasn’t affected the cusps
• The damage isn’t severe enough to warrant the use of a tooth filling

Contact us at Family Dental Care today if you wish to know more.

Pursuing a flawless smile takes heart and requires patience, persistence, and some lifestyle changes. In the past, people who wished to alter their smiles had limited options, mainly because dental technology was limited. But now, you can almost do anything to alter your appearance.

This is why you will find options such as teeth contouring at our dental clinic near you for people who wish to take their smiles to the next level.

Dental flaws such as misshapen teeth, unevenly shaped teeth, and cracked teeth may affect the quality of your smile. That’s why contouring and bonding teeth are popular among many patients because these treatments guarantee to change their smiles.

However, every moon has a dark side, so you can expect that tooth contouring will have its benefits as well as disadvantages.

But before we delve into the risks involved when you undergo teeth contouring, let’s get some definitions out of the way.

Understanding Tooth Contouring

Tooth contouring is also referred to as odontoplasty, enameloplasty, reshaping, stripping, or slenderizing. It is a cosmetic dental procedure that entails the removal of tiny quantities of your enamel to alter the shape, length, texture, and proportions of your affected teeth.

Tooth reshaping is considered the most conservative cosmetic dental procedure since it is a painless and quick procedure that guarantees immediate results.

Our dentist will commence the procedure by shaving off a few millimeters of enamel using precision lasers or drills to bring about a more uniform smile. Like the other cosmetic dental treatments, this procedure is a blend of science and art.

Are Tooth Reshaping and Dental Contouring Right for You?

Contouring or reshaping can transform the smile of almost anyone who sets foot in our dental clinic. That being said, it doesn’t mean that it is the best solution for everyone. Every case is unique and will need specialized treatment to achieve the desired smile.

In any case, this treatment can be ideal for you if you have the following dental issues:

• Small chips on teeth
• Small fractures on teeth
• Pointy teeth
• Excessively small teeth
• Excessively large teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Uneven teeth
• Pits or bulges on the enamel
• Slightly misshapen teeth

Tooth contouring is perfect for anyone who needs to make tiny adjustments or repairs to enhance their smiles.

There are instances where reshaping and contouring are performed as the first steps toward extensive cosmetic dental work. It sets the stage for procedures such as veneers, teeth whitening, or even crown lengthening that can be done days, months, or years after the contouring.

If you are lucky, tooth reshaping might be the only procedure you need to undergo to get the smile you dreamed of.

But remember that contouring is not appropriate for you if you have unhealthy gums, root canals, or decaying teeth.

Disadvantages of Tooth Reshaping and Dental Contouring

If you have lived long enough, you must know that perfection is something that you cannot come by in this life. So, even though tooth contouring may have benefits, it also comes with disadvantages that you must know.

Some of the disadvantages may include:

• Subtle Change 

When people undergo different cosmetic dentistry procedures, they expect dramatic results. If you undergo teeth whitening or get dental veneers, you can expect a dramatic change after the procedure. But this is not the case with tooth contouring.

Dental contouring will only eliminate tiny imperfections, whereas veneers can cover the entire front surface of your tooth, changing your smile instantly.

• Risk of Tooth Damage

Since tooth reshaping or contouring involves the removal of some of the enamel, there is always the risk of tooth damage. This is dependent on how much enamel has been removed. In some cases, patients may complain of tooth sensitivity after the procedure. If too much enamel was removed during the procedure, then there is a chance that tooth breakage can occur.

• Temporary Solution

In some scenarios, tooth contouring might not suffice, and you might need to combine it with another procedure such as bonding.

• Only On the Surface

Reshaping or contouring requires the removal of some of your enamel (the outer shell). Our dentist can remove only so much enamel without causing tooth sensitivity or tooth damage. This means that nothing much can be done beyond shaving some of the enamel.

If you are thinking of undergoing teeth contouring, contact us Family Dental Care, and we would love to redefine your smile.

Many names are used to define dental operations in various ways, and they might signify different things to different individuals. Permanent dentures vs. temporary dentures and transitional dentures vs. replacement dentures are just a few examples.

People who have had their teeth extracted struggle to choose which dentures are suitable for their teeth or issue. It is vital to note that temporary dentures are put after having your tooth extracted. It might take many months to construct or make your custom permanent dentures once a dentist removes your teeth. You have the option of wearing immediate or temporary dentures in the meanwhile.

Dental implants are used to implant permanent dentures into the jawbone surgically. Permanent dentures are made from the impression your dentist makes to ensure the dentures are comfortable and, therefore, will be used for a longer period than temporary dentures. Family Dental Care – Calumet City, looks at the differences between temporary and permanent partial dentures.

Are Temporary Dentures Made from the Same Material as Permanent Dentures?

Polymethyl methacrylate resin is used to make the majority of temporary and permanent dentures. While temporary dentures can be made from the same high-quality materials as permanent dentures, this is usually a waste of money.

Temporary dentures made of basic materials make more sense since they are disposable, while permanent dentures made of high-quality resin are more expensive. In addition, because permanent dentures are made of high-quality resin, the material makes the dentures longer lasting and durable.

Acrylic, nylon, or metal are commonly used for denture frameworks. The materials utilized to make your denture framework will vary depending on the type of denture you’re getting. It is advisable to check with your dentures dentist in Calumet City before having them fixed, as prices vary with the material and type of dentures you want to be fixed.

Are Permanent Dentures Thinner Than Temporary Dentures?

The answer to this question is yes. This is because temporary dentures are made before your tooth is extracted, and therefore the fit and thickness of temporary dentures are not ideal.

It’s also worth noting that some of the thickness a patient feels once the dentures are in place is related to the fact that the dentures are a foreign thing, and they seem extremely thick because you’ve never worn dentures before.

Permanent dentures are thinner than temporary ones as your dentist makes an impression that matches your teeth’ shape and pattern. Therefore, the permanent partial dentures that will be made are similar to your teeth and fit better than temporary dentures.

Which Are More Expensive? Temporary Dentures vs. Permanent

The amount of money you will pay depends on the types of dentures you want to fix. It is important to note that permanent dentures are made from more durable material than temporary dentures. Still, many patients falsely conclude that the temporary ones cost more because they include tooth removal, surgery, relines, and other treatment costs with the cost of temporary dentures.

A well-made pair of high-quality permanent dentures will cost not less than $1,200 per arch, and this price range is affected by the denture care you go to and the complexity of your situation.
Temporary dentures are often less expensive since they are produced from common stock materials that may not necessarily offer the finest cosmetic outcomes. For temporary dentures, budget around $600 per denture or more.

How Long Do Temporary Dentures vs. Permanent Dentures Last?

A patient must know how long the dentures they have will last. You will use temporary dentures until your gums shrink and fully heal. Depending on your age, general health, and the number of teeth removed before acquiring dentures, this can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months for most individuals.

If you’ve had oral surgery and have been wearing temporary dentures for more than a year, chances are they no longer fit well and may be contributing to other tooth problems. It is recommended to visit a dental care facility to remove the temporary dentures to avoid dental issues.

It is important to note that although permanent dentures are considered permanent, they do not last forever. This is because, as you continue wearing the permanent partial dentures, your gum tissue and bone gradually change as the years go by. Therefore, permanent dentures should be replaced every 5 to 10 years.

Proper dental health is slowly becoming a priority for many people globally. However, it seems to only apply to adults, without too much concern over dental health for children. Unfortunately, unless kids get started on excellent dental care at an early age, they stand to suffer many dental consequences in the future.

Understanding Dental Health for Children

Dentists at Family Dental Care – Oak Lawn prioritize dental health for children, which explains why Children’s pediatric dentistry exists as an independent unit in dental facilities. It provides oral services tailored for the varying dental needs of children, right from infancy through to the teenage years.

Pediatric Dentistry exists so that every child has an opportunity to create and sustain a healthy dental lifestyle that will yield long-term benefits.

How Do I Prepare My Baby for The Dental Office?

Unless you have consulted a pediatric dentist near you, you may feel hesitant about dental care for your child when they are in the infant stages. However, even before your child starts teething, they are still a prime candidate for dental care. Some tips to help you prepare your baby for their first dental visit are:

1. Play pretend – you would be surprised by how much children can learn when having fun. Instead of randomly taking your child to a dentist during your free time, start by practicing with them what happens in a dental office. Build up the excitement for visiting a dental office to learn how things are done. Dental-themed activities and plays in the house can help okay the idea of visiting a dentist.
2. Familiarize with dental terms – although you should not throw medical jargon at your child, some dental words are necessary for familiarity. Talk to them about various parts of the oral cavity while promoting notions of proper dental health for healthy teeth.
3. Schedule an appointment during happy times when your child is in a generally good mood – they are likely to accept the new dental environment.
4. Bring comfort items – during the appointment, bring your child’s comfort items, including dolls, toys, and blankets, to help them feel safe during their dental exam.
5. Introduce incentives – rewards are great motivators to help children achieve set goals.

​Reasons Children Need Dentists

Generally, children need dental care for the same reasons adults do. The reasons you must take your child to a dentist at a young age are:

1. To prevent dental cavities – children are highly prone to dental cavities when they reach the age of around six years. Without preventive measures in place, chances are very high that your child will incur one or more dental caries on teeth. A dentist will incorporate dental approaches like dental sealants and fluoride treatments that will help teeth fight against dental cavities.
2. To create a culture of proper oral hygiene – children can be a bit resistant to dental hygiene approaches at home. However, with the help of a dental expert, they can begin creating a healthy lifestyle for maintaining good oral hygiene.
3. Encourage healthy eating lifestyles – most children are fond of sweets and sugary foods over healthy options like fruits and vegetables. To encourage good nutritional habits, you can rely on nutritional counseling dental protocols by a pediatric dentist.
4. Avoid the need for restorative treatments – patients who neglect dental care at an early age eventually require restoration procedures when older.
5. Preserve natural teeth – other than permanent teeth, and baby teeth need protection. Preserving baby teeth helps protect the proper alignment of teeth by managing the existent spaces until adult teeth start erupting.

How Often Should You Take My Child to The Dentist?

There is nothing wrong with visiting a dentist frequently. If anything, the frequency of the visitations can help your child feel more at ease with the different dental protocols for preserving good oral health. Depending on the state of your child’s oral health, they should visit a dentist at least once every six months. A frequency of up to once every three months is also okay.

Before you can choose to have a tooth extraction procedure, be open to the idea of dental restorations that can save your natural teeth. Fortunately, you have more than two options to choose from, including dental fillings, tooth crowns, onlays, and inlays.

​

What Are the Inlays and Onlays?

They are indirect fillings used in restorative dentistry to repair and restore damaged teeth. These dental restorations are easily comparable to dental fillings and dental crowns, even though they are different. Inlays and onlays feature three materials, either porcelain, gold, or composite. Your dentist in Munster will use onlays or inlays when the tooth filling is too large, and the restoration is not big enough to necessitate a dental crown.

​

Inlays VS. Onlays: What’s The Difference?

The difference between onlays and inlays is not that big. You can differentiate the two by the filling material used when restoring a damaged tooth. Ideally, an onlay covers a larger surface than an inlay. Inlays fill the hole of the tooth without spreading over to the cusps of the tooth. However, onlays fill the tooth as well as the cusps thereof. It is why inlays are sometimes called partial dental crowns.

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Why Do Dentists Use Inlays and Onlays For Dental Restorations?

Dental inlays and onlays are restorative materials that can restore decayed teeth. However, it is not always that our dental team at Family Dental Care – Munster will use onlays or inlays. Usually, dentists employ inlays where dental fillings are not suitable to complete your treatment because they are too big. Instead of a large tooth filling, therefore, a dentist will opt for an inlay.

On the other hand, onlays are used instead of dental crowns. Ideally, the level of damage on your tooth would require a considerable restorative material but not big enough to necessitate a dental crown. Therefore, instead of preparing the whole tooth, the dentist will prepare the top part only, covering the chewing surfaces instead of the whole tooth.

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Dental Issues Treated with Onlays and Inlays

Dental restorations help restore natural teeth and treat dental pain and infections. When your dentist determines to use onlays and inlays, it is for the following reasons:

1. Dental decay and tooth cavities – cavities are very common among both children and adults. One of the ways to restore a decayed tooth is using an onlay or inlay.
2. Cracked or broken teeth – stakes are higher if the tooth has also suffered nerve damage.
3. Weak teeth enamel – when your enamel begins to thin out, it weakens the overall tooth structure. A dentist may determine to use an onlay to reinforce the strength of your tooth.

Top Reasons Why You Should Opt for Inlays and Onlays

As you decide about the fate of your dental health, you should liaise closely with your dentist to identify the best oral restoration approach for your smile. Some of the benefits of inlays and onlays over other dental restorations are:

1. Structural benefits – when restoring the structure of your natural tooth, inlays and onlays are better than dental fillings. They help reinforce the strength of your tooth’s structure.
2. Less invasive procedure – compared to getting dental crowns, inlays and onlays require less preparation. Your dentist will not need to remove too much of your tooth’s enamel to make room for an onlay or inlay, as would be the case with a dental crown.
3. Durability – inlays and onlays can last a long time, depending on the material used to make them. Those made of composites last anywhere between 5 to 10 years. However, gold and porcelain onlays and inlays can last up to 30 years with proper care.
4. Stability – typically, dental fillings contract and expand with temperature changes, risking tooth damage. Onlays and inlays do not expand with usage, particularly those made of porcelain.
5. Aesthetic benefits – when you choose composite or porcelain inlays and onlays, the result is a natural-looking smile. It is because the materials are tooth-colored and can be matched to the color of your natural teeth.

Perfect fit – onlays and inlays fit like a glove because they are created using the impressions of your tooth.

Oral cancer is a condition featuring the overgrowth of cancerous cells in any part of the oral cavity. It can affect anyone regardless of age, but it is more prevalent among adults than children.

What Causes Oral Cancer?

Cancer of the mouth results due to various factors. Since there is no particular cause of oral cancer, consider the following risk factors as contributors to getting cancer of the mouth:

1. Genetics – if other members of your family have been diagnosed with oral cancer, you are highly likely to get it too.
2. Having another type of cancer – patients who have previously been diagnosed with other types of body cancer are at a Hugh risk of getting oral cancer.
3. Smoking and other tobacco usages – tobacco does not only damage your lungs or cause gum infection. Long-term use of tobacco substances can result in oral cancer.
4. Excessive intake of alcohol – other than cirrhosis and other liver diseases, consuming a lot of alcohol over a long period can result in oral cancers like throat and gum cancer.
5. Direct exposure to sunlight for long hours – exposes you to lip cancer.

Types of Oral Cancers

Oral cancers affect any area of your mouth. The common types of cancers are:

1. Lips cancer
2. Tongue cancer
3. Throat cancer
4. Cancer of the roof and floor of the mouth
5. Gum cancer

​What are the symptoms of oral cancer?

The symptoms of oral cancer vary, depending on the type of cancer you have. They may mimic symptoms for other oral conditions, which is why you must prioritize oral cancer screening near you. Some symptoms of oral cancer to consider are:

1. Mouth Sores and ulcers that do not heal but rather keep recurring.
2. White and red velvety patches in your inner lips and cheeks.
3. Bumps, limbs, and tumors in the mouth.
4. Sore throat -ay make your voice hoarse, and cause difficulty swallowing.
5. Pain and your jaw and swollen gums
6. Loose teeth – without treatment, your teeth can begin to fall off.
7. Bad breath – will be persistent even after brushing your teeth.

​What Is Oral Cancer Screening?

It is a type of test done to check the presence of precancerous cells in the mouth. The dental expert will examine your oral cavity to identify any signs and symptoms that may indicate oral cancer. Ideally, an oral cancer screening will only identify the likelihood of precancerous cells. However, for diagnosis, your dentist will need to conduct further tests, including a biopsy to confirm the presence of cancerous cells.

How Can a Dentist Help You?

Although not everyone is at a high risk of getting oral cancer, we still recommend screening sessions to our patients. Screening tests are not just about having cancer but that a dentist can help you with your dental needs. Some of the benefits of visiting a dentist when it comes to managing and treating oral cancer are:

1. Early diagnosis of oral cancer – oral cancer is treatable if caught early. However, many people succumb to oral cancer because they find it late. The benefit of visiting a dentist in 60805 is that he/she can help you detect any signs of cancer early.
2. Getting a correct diagnosis – some symptoms of oral cancer closely resemble those of other oral infections. Unless you have visited a dentist, you can easily mistake oral cancer for gum disease.
3. Identifying risk factors – some patients have a higher risk of getting oral cancer than others. When your dentist helps you identify the risk factors, you can make lifestyle changes to influence your health.
4. Creating a medical record – dentists can only generate a medical record for you when you have been a patient for a consistent period. Usually, the medical record can help identify any risk factors that can increase your chances of getting oral cancer. Such medical records also account for your family history and preexisting health issues you may have.

How Often Should You Get Screened for Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer screenings near you are available at any time of the year as a proactive measure for managing oral cancer. The frequency of screenings will depend on how high-risk a patient you are. Technically, you can get screening done once every year to ensure you have no traces of cancerous cells.

Mouthguards are oral appliances in dentistry that protect natural teeth from external trauma caused by accidents and injuries. The primary goal of using mouthguards in dentistry is to protect your oral cavity. As such, mouthguards are considered oral appliances for preventive dentistry.

Technically, mouthguards work by protecting your upper teeth. However, your dentist may recommend a mouthguard for both your upper and lower teeth, depending on the underlying circumstances. It is a common approach for patients with other dental devices like braces. An ideal mouthguard should:

1. Amply protect your teeth from cracks, chips, and breaks.
2. Allow you to breathe properly.
3. Allow you to speak well.
4. Stay in place without moving unnecessarily.
5. Comfortable to wear
6. Resistant to tears
7. Tasteless and odorless

​Who Needs a Mouthguard?

Mouthguards do not exist for usage by particular people in society. Generally, anyone can benefit from mouthguards. If you have to be in situations that put your dental health at risk of external trauma, consider getting a mouthguard. However, some groups of people need mouth protectors more than others, including the following:

1. Sportspersons – especially those involved in high contact sports like boxing, football, and rugby.
2. Children – especially hyperactive children, typically at a higher risk of getting into accidents. Other kids with developmental problems related to mobility, balance, or mental activity can benefit from mouthguards.
3. Patients who grind their teeth – special types of mouthguards can help treat bruxism, a condition that features excessive teeth grinding.

​Why Use a Mouthguard When Playing Sports?

The people who use mouthguards the most are sportspersons. The reason is that they are at a higher risk of incurring dental accidents that is typical for everyone else. When playing sports, you cannot predict when you will fall or collide with a teammate or opponent. It is, therefore, advisable that you put on protective armor as a proactive measure to protect yourself. As such, consider mouthguards similar to knee pads and helmets that protect other parts of your body.

​Types of Mouthguards

Mouthguards differ based on their design and creation. The common types of mouthguards in dentistry are:

1. Stock mouth protectors – are the most readily available mouth protectors. You can find them at a local vendor near you. These mouthguards are pre-made and come in a one-size-fits-all. For that reason, sometimes these mouthguards can feel uncomfortable, making it even difficult to breathe and speak well.
2. Boil and bite mouthguards – they are also pre-made like stock mouth protectors. However, the material for these mouthguards is thermoplastic. It means that it expands and contracts accordingly with temperature changes. Therefore, to wear the mouthguard, you need to dip it in hot water before shaping it for a proper fit in your mouth. You can use your finger or tongue to fit the mouthguard to your teeth.
3. Customized mouthguards – at Family Dental Care – Crestwood, we recommend these types of mouthguards to our patients since they are the best. Dentists make them based on the impressions of a patient’s mouth. They fit perfectly and serve the exact purpose they are meant for, based on a dentist’s diagnosis and prognosis. A dentist can even customize the mouth protectors for use at night to treat or manage particular oral problems.

​Benefits of Mouthguards

Ultimately, the best type of mouthguard is that which is custom made for your mouth. It serves the intended purpose without compromising your comfort and functionality. Some other benefits of wearing a mouthguard are:

1. They prevent severe dental issues – instead of always rushing to a dentist in Crestwood for urgent dental care, you can choose to wear a mouthguard. Dental mouthguards prevent many dental problems that result from accidents and injuries.
2. To protect your teeth – teeth are easily damaged by dental trauma. You can incur chips, cracks, or breaks on your teeth. The worst-case scenario would be having knocked out teeth, which is highly likely after an injury. Mouthguards cushion your teeth to absorb most of the shock you incur after dental trauma, which is why they are called teeth protectors.
3. To protect your jawbone – mouthguards do not just cushion your teeth but also protect your jawbone, preventing fractures.