Mouthguards are known for their use by pro athletes for dental protection. As time passes, however, they are becoming more popular for other uses. Those with mild sleep apnea might benefit from using mouthguards and not need CPAP machines. We get referrals from doctors who want us to fit their patients with custom mouthguards all the time.

At World of Dentistry in Brooklyn, we also recommend them for patients who grind their teeth. Wearing a mouthguard in your sleep can protect your teeth as well as your temporomandibular joints. At World of Dentistry, our dentists fit dozens of patients with mouthguards each month.

The Right Type for You

If you’re looking to get a mouthguard, you might be confused by different terms like stock, boil, and bite, and custom-fitted. These are the three types currently available. Stock mouthguards are the cheapest and the easiest to buy. You can get them at most pharmacies, sports stores, and online.

Why don’t we like them? Stock guards come in certain sizes so they can be very uncomfortable to wear. They might make breathing hard and are certainly not easy to sleep in.

Boil and bite mouthguards aren’t ideal, but they’re better than their stock counterparts. The idea is that you boil them then wear them. The boiling makes them more flexible so that when you wear them, they can take the shape of your teeth.

Custom-fitted mouthguards are the best and most efficient. You can only get them at the dentist, and we can fit you with them here at World of Dentistry. They’re comfortable to sleep in and don’t interfere with breathing or speech.

How to Take Care of Your Mouthguard

Mouthguards are low maintenance and are generally easy to take care of. You’ll want to rinse with cool water and brush them with toothpaste before and after each use. You should keep them away from heat and sunlight too, as these can be damaging.

Make sure you have a firm container to store them in when you’re not using them and while traveling. The container will keep them protected from physical damage, heat, and dust.