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What are mouthguards?

Mouthguards are a type of personal protective device designed to protect athletes’ teeth and jaw. Mouthguards are typically made from a combination of plastic, metal, and other materials. They can be helpful in preventing concussions or dental injuries that may result from sports.

Who uses mouthguards?

Mouthguards are designed for use by athletes participating in many different sporting activities such as football, hockey, boxing, and others. Some people even wear them to help prevent the spread of dental diseases in their mouths. Because of the potential health benefits and minimal cost, mouthguards are often recommended for children from age 6 through high school.

How do they work?

The mechanism by which mouthguards protect athletes is not fully understood. However, there are several theories to help explain how the mouthguards shield teeth and jaw. The most common theory is that they prevent tooth fractures and jaw injuries by creating a shock-absorbing barrier to teeth fractures or impact to the jaw. The theory is that the pressure wave of a hit is absorbed by the flexible materials in the guard so only low pressures reach the teeth. This can reduce the chances of damage to teeth and help reduce concussions. 

How do I know what mouthguard I need?

To determine which mouthguard is correct for you, you should consult a dentist. The dentist can examine your current oral health and let you know if it would be beneficial to wear a mouthguard. When choosing a mouthguard for yourself, there are several factors you will want to consider. The dentist can help you determine the fit, feel, and protection of the mouthguard when making a decision.

What style of mouthguard is best?

There are many different styles of mouthguards. When shopping for your own mouth guard, it may be beneficial to get the advice of your dentist. Your dentist will be able to tell you which style will work best for your teeth.

How do I store mouthguards?

Make sure the mouthguards are kept in a dry, cool place and do not freeze. You should store the plastic in the container that it came in. The metal mouthguard should be stored in an airtight container or bag to prevent rust and corrosion.

What parts of my teeth can be protected by a mouthguard?

Your dentist can help you determine which teeth should be covered by your guard. Generally, your dentist will recommend this depending on your sporting activity. For example, if you are playing hockey, you will need a lid covering most of your

front teeth. If you play football, most of the front teeth may be protected. Mouthguards will generally include protection for the upper and lower teeth.

Does a mouthguard is required if I have braces?

Some dentists recommend that you wear a mouthguard while wearing braces. Some types of braces prevent the teeth from fitting into their intended positions, which can increase the risk of small or broken teeth when athletes hit and impact their teeth. However, if you want to wear a mouthguard while having braces, it is recommended that you get help from your dentist.

How long should I wear my mouthguard?

Some schools require athletes to wear mouthguards during practice or games, especially during practices where contact is the most frequent. Some schools require their athletes to always wear a full mouthguard, even when doing non-contact activities. Talking with your dentist about how long you should wear your guard at a time may be beneficial.

Other times you may need a mouthguard because of an injury. For example, if you have an injury to your mouth, you may need a guard to protect you from the injury. Mouthguards are also useful in situations where there is a high risk of an orthodontic problem forming that could lead to loss of bone or teeth.

Another possible reason for needing a guard is if you play sports like boxing or hockey which places strain on the mouth and jaw joints.

Understanding Factors that Affect the Cost of Dental Braces.

Costs of dental braces vary greatly from one person to the next, and there are several things that can affect the price.

First, the cost will vary based on what type of dental braces you need. For example, a person with a lower jaw and upper teeth who will be receiving braces should expect to pay more than someone who needs only upper teeth. Also, any kind of additional procedures involved will raise the price. For example, if you need to have porcelain veneers, this will raise the price. A good rule of thumb is to expect to pay twice as much for any kind of cosmetic procedures that will be done simultaneously with your braces.

A second factor that can affect the price is whether you have Invisalign or traditional braces. Traditional braces and Invisalign are equally effective, but there are some tradeoffs when choosing between the two. Traditional braces require a longer period because you can’t adjust them at home and can cause a “molar gap” between upper and lower teeth. Invisalign requires a more frequent adjustment to your teeth than traditional braces, but no molar gap (thus less wear on your teeth). Also, while you don’t need Invisalign for permanent (bone-anchored) dental braces, you will have to have them for removable braces. The cost of Invisalign will be like traditional braces.

The third factor that can affect the price is how many visits we need to get your braces on. The more visits you need, the more expensive your braces will be.

The fourth factor that can affect the price is how fast you need your braces. If you don’t want to wear them for long, then it will cost more. When considering cost, consider how long it will take for you to complete treatment with the braces and ask any potential providers about their delivery times.

The fifth factor that can affect the price is if you have missing teeth. If you are missing two, three, or four teeth in the middle of your smile line, then it will cost more to get your new teeth in place. Your dentist may recommend implants, bridges, or partial dentures as a solution to this problem.

The sixth factor that can affect the price is how many specialists are involved in your treatment.

Even if you have no financial need for dental braces, it’s a good idea to have them. The dentist may offer you an exam and cleaning (or perhaps a more extensive checkup) before your treatment, and they will often give you some temporary fake braces at no charge while you are waiting for your permanent ones. The cost of these is usually minimal compared to what the dentist would charge out-of-pocket, anyway. With both exams and fake braces, the cost will vary depending on whether you opt for a complete exam or just a cleaning.

Finally, you can expect to pay more for dental braces if you live in a city or other geographic area that has higher costs of living.

What Your Dentist May Communicate Regarding Dental Braces

Many people choose to have dental braces because they are a long-term solution. The brackets and wires on your teeth will need to stay there for anywhere from 2 to 5 years, depending on the type of braces you get.

Braces are metal, or ceramic devices that can be attached to teeth in order to straighten them. They can be made from many materials, including stainless steel, clear plastic or nickel titanium alloys. There are two main types of brackets: lingual brackets which attach to the backside (root) side of the teeth and traditional brackets which attach along the biting surface (front) of the teeth on either side near the gumline or lip line.

The advantage with traditional is that they don’t affect the appearance of your teeth and the front of your mouth is not affected. The disadvantage is that they are large and will increase the space between your teeth, which makes it harder for you to eat certain foods. Due to all that space, they can also cause problems like getting food stuck in them or grinding your teeth down when biting down on something hard.

Braces are simply metal bars, wires or brackets placed on to the teeth by orthodontists. The teeth are then moved into their proper position by applying pressure to the braces. The braces are tied together, using rubber bands or other materials, to apply the force needed. Metal brackets can be made of stainless steel or nickel titanium alloys, which will last up to three years and six years, respectively. Orthodontists also use wires and bands to hold the metal brackets in place. There are two types of wires used on braces: stainless steel and nickel titanium.

Dental braces do hurt temporarily:

A lot of people want to know if dental braces hurt. Many people wonder if dental braces cause pain. Some people have sensitive teeth and will feel more pain than others. You will have to consult your orthodontist to find out if you are someone with sensitive teeth or not.

The treatment period will depend on the severity of your case:

In cases where people are not able to move their teeth back into place, they will have to wear braces for many years and even decades. If your case is not too severe though, you may only have to go through a few months of wearing them. Another thing to consider when deciding to wear braces is the type of brackets you will be wearing. Some brackets, like metal brackets, are more visible and less comfortable to wear than others, like plastic ones.

Dental braces are not permanent:

Dental braces are not permanent. They can be removed if they are causing you pain or if they aren’t helping at all. Braces aren’t meant to go on for a lifetime, either. If you have had your braces for two years, and you still don’t feel like they’re doing anything when eating, wearing them might not be the right solution for you.

Braces are expensive:

Braces are expensive, but many people still choose to have them because they are a long-term solution. The brackets and wires on your teeth will need to stay there for anywhere from 2 to 5 years, depending on the type of braces you get.