Mouthguards at Ardas Family Dental

Taking care of your teeth means more than daily maintenance. Brushing and flossing are important, but so is protecting your teeth from the sort of injuries that could leave them chipped, cracked, or broken off. At Ardas Family Dental in Parker, we provide a wide variety of restorations for people whose teeth are in all sorts of condition, but we also want our restorations to last and for patients to avoid needing emergency care. One of the most simple things everyone can do to protect themselves is to use a mouthguard, so we wanted to explain a bit about them and how to choose the one that’s most appropriate for your needs.

The American Dental Association classifies mouthguards by three types: stock, mouth-formed, and custom-made. Stock mouthguards are those which are purchased pre-shaped and cannot be reshaped. They provide better protection than using nothing, but are not as good as a mouthguard that fits a specific wearer. Mouth-formed mouthguards are those which can be boiled to soften them and then reshaped around a wearer’s teeth. They are often used for children and teenagers, whose teeth are rapidly shifting. Shaping a mouthguard on someone with fixed orthodontics may require a dentist’s supervision, but is essential for protecting an athlete undergoing orthodontic therapy from the risk of broken wires or brackets.

Customized mouthguards are those which are shaped specifically for a patient based on an impression of their teeth. They are made from the most sturdy material and provide the best protection. Mouthguards of all sorts need to be cleaned regularly, as do their cases, and they shouldn’t be exposed to high temperatures that might warp their shape. But when used properly, mouthguards can reduce dental injuries by forty percent, and are particularly beneficial to people playing contact sports.

Dr. Roopi Kattaura operates Ardas Family Dental at 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 205, Parker, Colorado. Call 720-459-8420.