Mouth guards serve a vital role in protecting our teeth, but what if you have fallen or crooked teeth, or perhaps no teeth at all? It is surprising to some, but your teeth still need protection. Here, I will cover mouth guards that can help protect mouths with missing teeth.
We will explore practical suggestions and solutions to ensure even those with dental challenges can maintain optimal oral health. Let’s uncover the possibilities and safeguards for those with unique dental needs.
Advantages of Mouth Guards for Individuals Without Teeth
Using mouthguards for those without teeth might seem counterintuitive at first. There might not be much to protect, and a mouth guard is not the best choice to hide missing teeth. Still, mouthguards are beneficial for other protective functions.
Prevents damage to gums and residual teeth. Wearing a mouth guard provides a critical protective layer. Such protection is essential for maintaining healthy gum tissue, especially in the absence of natural teeth.
Reduces discomfort from dentures. Mouth guards act as a buffer between the dentures and gums or other teeth. If you are prone to tight grinding and clenching, they will ensure you can protect both.
Maintains jaw alignment. A night guard to prevent teeth from moving is a great choice, but they can maintain correct jaw alignment too. People without teeth are often more prone to incorrect jaw alignment, which leads to more tooth damage or potential jaw joint disorders.
Aids in sleep apnea treatment. Certain types of mouthguards are designed to help with managing sleep apnea. They open up the airways, reducing the chances of a breathless episode during the night. This improves sleep quality and overall health.
Preserving dental restorations: Mouth guards are indispensable for protecting crowns, bridges, implants, and other dental restorations. They act as a safeguard against potential damage during physical activities or teeth grinding at night.
Risks to Using Night Guards for Individuals Without Teeth
Discomfort. Crafting the perfect mouthguard fit is more difficult if you have missing teeth. A poorly fitted night guard can cause significant discomfort, especially during sleep.
Potential harm to gums and residual teeth. A night guard supposed to fit in a way that distributes pressure evenly, safeguarding the mouth. However, if you have missing teeth, you might not be able to achieve good with the night guard. If the night guard starts to constantly move, the gums and residual teeth can get damaged.
Limited protection. Night guards for those without teeth may offer limited protection compared to those with a full set of teeth. The guard’s effectiveness in preventing damage from grinding or clenching might be reduced.
Suggestions for Individuals with Fewer Teeth
For individuals with missing teeth or those who have no teeth at all, using a mouth guard effectively requires careful consideration. My first recommendation is to consult a dentist,
A professional can provide a mouth guard that is custom-fitted to your unique dental structure. A dentist’s expertise is invaluable in ensuring the mouth guard accommodates any specific requirements due to missing teeth. It’s the best way to avoid any night guard side effects. However, dentist-made night guards and their consultations are expensive.
Custom-fit mouth guards that you can fit with an at-home impression kit are more affordable, yet still provide a tailored fit. They are designed based on impressions you provide, ensuring a better fit than generic alternatives.
It’s crucial for individuals with fewer teeth to avoid cheap over-the-counter mouth guards, including boil and bite models. These generic guards fail to provide adequate protection and comfort for unique dental situations. Alghtou, they might be a good option for people with full teeth.
The Production Process of This Type of Night Guards
The production experience with Pro Teeth Guard and Remi for individuals with missing or no teeth is as straightforward and user-friendly as it can get.
- You start by visiting the website of Remi or Pro Teeth Guard and ordering a custom-made kit. The kit arrives with all the necessary materials and detailed instructions for taking your dental impressions.
- The most important part for people with missing teeth is making impressions. If your dental structure is unique in such a way, don’t shy away from making a couple of attempts. The process doesn’t change whether it’s a mouth guard for bottom teeth or for upper teeth.
- After taking your impressions, you must initiate the customization of your night guard and mail it back to the lab. Different brands deal with it differently. As I mentioned in my Remi review, they provide a shipping label. Other brands use a prepaid return envelope or other methods.
- The dental lab receives your impressions and begins crafting your custom-fitted night guard. Technicians use precise equipment, like a vacuum-forming machine, to ensure the guard perfectly matches your dental impressions.
The creation of your night guard usually takes about one to two weeks. Once ready, the finished night guard is shipped directly to you. Upon receiving your custom-made night guard, try it on to confirm its comfort and fit.
If there are issues with the fit, both Remi and Pro Teeth Guard offer support. They provide assistance for adjustments or offer refunds as part of their customer satisfaction policies.
Conclusion
Although mouth guards protect teeth, there are some benefits for individuals with missing or even no teeth at all. They protect gums, reduce discomfort, maintain jaw alignment, aid in sleep apnea treatment, and preserve dental restorations. Just ensure you have a proper fit and consult a dentist if there are any suspicions.
