At Hawaii Pacific Dental Group, Inc., we may be best known for the many smiles we have transformed through cosmetic dentistry or the mouths we have restored to optimal health through restorative dentistry. However, as a comprehensive dentistry practice, Hawaii Pacific Dental Group is able to serve virtually every possible oral health need for patients of all ages, from the youngest member of your family to the eldest. Dr. Rohinton Patel and his highly trained team provide a full range of services, including the creation of custom-crafted mouth guards for both athletic purposes and the treatment of chronic bruxism, or teeth grinding.
Many people ask Dr. Patel why they should invest in a custom mouth guard when less expensive alternatives are available at drug stores throughout the area. Dr. Patel is always pleased to discuss custom mouth guard benefits during consultations at his Honolulu, HI practice. He wants his patients to understand why custom mouth guards made from the finest materials are safer, more effective, and ultimately a better investment that can potentially save them money compared to their off-the-shelf counterparts.
Are you interested in learning whether you could benefit from a custom mouth guard? If so, please schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Patel today.
Benefits of Custom Mouth Guards for Athletes
The purpose of an athletic mouth guard is to protect the mouth from the serious harm that can occur from participation in high-intensity, high-impact sports such as football, boxing, soccer, basketball, and rugby. Millions of people play these sports using boil-to-fit mouth guards that can be purchased at any drug store. These mouth guards are made from a malleable plastic that conforms to a person’s mouth by stretching out and becoming thinner when he or she bites down on it. In other words, it is only able to fit in the mouth of the wearer by being structurally weakened and compromised. Even then, such mouth guards rarely fit comfortably, as they often irritate the soft tissues of the mouth, such as the gums and the inner cheeks.
Custom mouth guards are crafted in a laboratory from exact specifications to fit precisely into the individual patient’s mouth. Each mouth guard is pressure laminated, multi-layered, and made not to stretch, unlike store-bought mouth guards. They are non-abrasive and comfortable to wear, and they provide exceptional protection for the teeth and gums. Even if the wearer never sustains a blow to the mouth, he or she may save money over time because our custom mouth guards are made to last for at least two years of heavy use. Store-bought mouth guards may last a few months.
If the wearer does sustain a blow to the mouth, the protection provided by the superior custom mouth guard will be priceless.
Benefits of Custom Mouth Guards for the Treatment of Teeth Grinding
As with custom mouth guards for athletes, custom mouth guards for the treatment of teeth grinding are made to fit comfortably in the mouth. In this case, comfort is especially important because wearers are meant to sleep with their mouth guards in place. This is because most people who grind their teeth do so unconsciously, while they are sleeping. A custom mouth guard will not only prevent the teeth from clenching together, but it will protect the enamel from becoming worn from wear and tear and the jaw muscles from the fatigue of constant grinding.
Learn More about Mouth Guard Benefits
To learn more about custom mouth guard benefits, please contact Hawaii Pacific Dental Group today.
