Downtown Dental
General Dentists located in Downtown, Rapid City, SD
More than 5 million teeth get knocked out annually, commonly occurring during sports activities. Mouthguards can help athletes protect their teeth from trauma and injury while also supporting patients who struggle with nocturnal grinding or TMJ. At Downtown Dental, Michael Krump, DDS, works with you to create customized mouthguards that fit the unique shape of your teeth. Call the practice in Rapid City, South Dakota, or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment today.
(605) 342-4882What are mouthguards?
Mouthguards fit over your teeth to protect the crowns, tongue, cheeks, and gums during sports or to offer protection for night-time teeth grinding. You can wear mouthguards over dental implants and braces, too.
Custom-fit mouthguards fit better, are more comfortable, and protect your teeth better than one-size-fits-all over-the-counter mouthguards.
Which mouthguards do I need?
Mouthguards for teeth grinding are different from mouthguards designed to protect your teeth from sports injuries and trauma. The types of mouthguards include custom mouthguards, boil-and-bite mouthguards, and stock (over-the-counter) mouthguards.
Downtown Dental recommends custom-fit mouthguards for the highest level of protection. At your appointment, your dentist creates an impression of your teeth to customize a mouthguard to fit comfortably. Custom mouthguards provide the most protection from nocturnal teeth grinding and sports injuries.While it’s possible to buy boil-and-bite mouthguards and stock mouthguards from the pharmacy or department store, they provide the least protection and rarely fit comfortably. They can even make it difficult to breathe due to their poor fit.
How do I take care of my mouthguard?
Your mouth is full of bacteria. When you wear a mouthguard, it can pick up bacteria from your mouth. Before putting your mouthguard in, clean your teeth, gums, and tongue.
Brush your mouthguard after wearing it, and let it air dry before storing it in a vented, plastic mouthguard case. Don’t expose your mouthguard to direct sunlight, hot water, or leave it in a hot car, as the heat can change the shape of the mouthguard.
When do mouthguards need to be replaced?
Custom-fit mouthguards can last several years when you care for them properly. If you wear your mouthguard frequently, it may need replacing more often. Bring your mouthguard with you when you visit Downtown Dental for your twice-annual exams and cleanings, and your dentist will inspect the fit and quality of the mouthguard to see if it needs to be replaced.
Over-the-counter mouthguards don’t last as long as the customized mouthguards from Downtown Dental. You may need to replace stock mouthguards every few months.
Call Downtown Dental or use the convenient online booking tool to schedule an appointment today if you think you need a mouthguard.
If you are interested in learning more, please view the PDF below;