How to Get Your Child to Wear Their Mouth Guard

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Mouthguards are an incredible device for people of any age. Even the most basic mouthguard, which can be purchased at nearly any drugstore or big box store store, can save your child from tooth loss or trauma. In some cases, mouthguards can even save parents from the expense and hassle of braces. Of course, this is true only if they wear it. Here, we’ll look at what you can do to ensure that they wear it.

Talking to Your Kids

Mouthguards can be worn for any number of reasons. Some kids might wear them during sports, while others will wear them at night to help them shift their teeth into the proper positions. It can help to teach your children why they’re wearing the mouthguard, and how it can help them avoid a mouthful of metal or a missing gap in their smile.

Establish Habits

Just as you helped your child establish habits for showering, brushing their teeth, and going to bed at the same time, you’ll need to get them into the habit of popping in a mouthguard in Parrish, FL every time they don a helmet or climb under the covers. If you play sports, whether it’s basketball or football or if you need a mouth guard to protect your teeth from grinding, make sure that you’re setting a good example!

Consult an Orthodontist in Parrish

An orthodontist in Parrish can potentially integrate a mouthguard into early orthodontic treatment in Parrish, which can help you protect your child’s teeth and bite and potentially reduce their need for more costly treatments down the line. They may even be able to get through to your child if you’re having a tough time convincing them! At Orthodontic Specialists, we can give you the support you need far beyond that you’ll find at the drugstore!

What Are the Benefits of Wearing a Mouth Guard?

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If you tend to grind your teeth or snore, you might benefit from wearing a mouth guard. These orthodontic devices offer effective ways to manage certain conditions and protect your teeth from harm. Our orthodontist in Bradenton and Parrish, FL, at Orthodontic Specialists offers mouth guards as treatment due to their advantages.

Prevent Teeth Grinding

Do you clench your jaw in your sleep? It’s a habit you may not be aware of, but it can lead to damaged teeth and soreness. Mouth guards make it harder to grind your teeth in your sleep.

Ease TMJ Symptoms

Do you tend to have jaw pain when you wake up? TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorders can cause these aches and pains, along with other symptoms, like morning headaches. Mouth guards help prevent teeth grinding that may trigger TMJ symptoms.

Reduce Snoring

Are you a frequent snorer? Wearing a mouth guard can help keep your airway open enough to prevent snoring from occurring.

Manage Sleep Apnea

Do you have this sleep disorder? Managing it is important to reduce the risk of health issues. Custom mouth guards that prevent airway obstruction can help you manage this condition and improve sleep quality.

Protect Teeth from Injuries

Do you play soccer or football? Wearing a custom mouth guard can keep your teeth safe and reduce the risk of injuries if you participate in athletic activities, such as contact sports.

Schedule a Visit for Custom Mouth Guards!

Do you need help for teeth grinding or sleep apnea? Our orthodontist at Orthodontic Specialists offers mouth guards in Bradenton and Parrish, FL, to help manage these conditions. We can provide you with a custom mouth guard for a comfortable fit.

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Why Custom Mouth Guards are Better Than Store-Bought

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Mouth guards are essential for protecting teeth and gums during sports, preventing teeth grinding and maintaining overall oral health. A person doesn’t have to have sensitive mouth issues to justify wearing a mouth guard. In fact, chances are that when a person shows up on the sports field, or even in the backyard for touch football to run off calories after enjoying a big Thanksgiving meal, others will start to wear mouth guards, too. No one wants a mouth injury, and mouth guards are known to be effective. But custom mouth guards, which you can get at your orthodontist in West Bradenton, FL, are better. Here’s why.

Superior Fit and Comfort

Custom mouth guards are made based on impressions taken by a dental professional, ensuring a snug fit. Store-bought mouth guards are made in generic sizes that don’t account for individual variations in mouth shape. If you consider that you have to drop a store-bought mouth guard into a pot of hot water to try to mold it to your own teeth, you can see that’s just a crazy way to make sure your teeth and gums are protected!

Enhanced Protection

A custom mouth guard is going to be better at absorbing and distributing impact, hands down. Store-bought options may shift or not cover all necessary areas, leaving parts of the mouth vulnerable to injury. So even if it’s just to protect your mouth on “Turkey Day” or any other day of the year, custom mouth guards are the way to go.

Durability and Longevity

Custom mouth guards are made from high-quality materials designed to withstand wear and tear over time. Store-bought mouth guards, are made from cheaper materials that can wear down quickly or lose their shape.

The durability and long-term protection of custom mouth guards in West Bradenton, FL make them a better investment, providing both peace of mind and better oral health outcomes.

A woman in a light blue button-up shirt stands against a plain background, covering her mouth with both hands and looking forward.

Care and Maintenance of Your Mouth Guard

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An important aspect of your orthodontic treatment is your mouth guard. Even though many youngsters don’t relish wearing their mouth guard, it ensures that teeth remain in their new position and that the successful West Bradenton, FL orthodontics treatment is not undone. The mouth guard is durable, but not invincible so, to be sure it does the job right, it’s essential to understand how to care for and maintain it.

Clean and Sterilize it on a Regular Basis

Just like teeth and gums, the mouth guard needs daily cleaning. At the end of each day, carefully remove the mouth guard and rinse it under clear, running water that’s warm, but not hot. This will get rid of most of the saliva and any food debris. Note that using too hot water could warp the appliance slightly. Next, gently brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle toothpaste. For mouthguards, a non-gel toothpaste is preferred. The brushing action will help keep the mouthguard free of bacteria.

Store it Properly

If the mouthguard isn’t in the mouth, it should be in its proper storage container, which will be provided by the orthodontist. Leaving it on the sink, on a towel, a countertop, a desk or other similar places can easily lead to accidents. Someone else in the family or at school can easily miss seeing it and accidentally knock it to the floor, or it can get bent if something is inadvertently placed on top of it. Make sure the storage case is clean as well, washing it with soap and water regularly. Keeping the mouth guard dry and stored in a protective case helps maintain its shape and function.

Your West Bradenton, FL orthodontist will provide you with official guidelines for cleaning and maintaining your mouth guard. For more information, contact us today.