It’s important to take care of your mouth and teeth throughout your life, but it’s particularly important to take care of them as you age. That’s because as we get older, our teeth are more vulnerable to falls, gum disease, and other problems that can leave us with painful and unsightly dental work that can make eating extremely difficult. However, wearing a tongue guard can help prevent these issues by protecting the soft tissues in your mouth and keeping your teeth in their place so they don’t fall out or come loose when you fall or suffer from these other issues.
What is a tongue guard?
A tongue guard is a dental device used for protecting your tongue. A tongue guard can also be referred to as an athletic mouthpiece or simply, mouthpiece. A tongue guard should be worn in any sport where contact is expected, particularly if you are frequently dealing with pucks and other hard objects. When shopping for a mouthpiece, you have three main options: stock, boil and bite or custom fit. What’s right for you depends on how active you are in your sport and how much protection is needed. All can be effective; it just depends on your personal preference and budget.
Why use it?
Tongue guards are often used by people who grind their teeth at night, causing extreme discomfort in their mouths and throughout their heads. The tongue guard helps alleviate some of these symptoms by providing protection for your teeth and mouth. A properly fitted tongue guard can also prevent damage to your gums, as well as create less damage during grinding. In some cases, it is possible that wearing a tongue guard could stop your bruxism problem completely! If you suspect that you might be grinding your teeth or experiencing gum pain or jaw soreness while sleeping, consider using a dental appliance such as a tongue guard.
Where to buy them
You can find tongue guards at your local drugstore, but it’s important to ensure you have one that will fit your mouth correctly. If you need assistance or have questions about proper size and usage, consult with your dentist. They should be able to help you figure out what type of guard is best for you. You can also consult with your doctor or medical professional if desired. Keep in mind that using tongue guards isn’t recommended for children, so don’t start practicing until you are old enough—as they are not safe during childhood growth spurts. We recommend waiting until puberty is complete before wearing a guard. Even then, only wear them during sleep and talk to your dentist before doing so since there may be other steps you need to take first. While wearing a full-size, standard shield doesn't usually pose any serious health risks for adults (aside from some discomfort), some doctors do caution against wearing them long-term because they can affect speech patterns over time.
How do you wear it?
A tongue guard is designed to cover your front teeth and prevent them from making contact with your back teeth. Depending on where you buy your guard, it will come with instructions on how to wear it properly. Most are meant to be worn only at night, so during sleep they can keep your mouth in alignment and protect all of your teeth from grinding. Others can be worn throughout the day for patients who grind their teeth excessively during waking hours, too. If that’s you, check with your dentist before ordering one online; there might be other options available (such as prescription mouth guards) that you haven’t considered yet.
Best times to wear it
In an ideal world, you would wear your tongue guard all of the time. This ensures that it is always ready for action in case it needs to protect your tongue from injury. The reality, however, is that many people aren’t able to wear their guards on a 24/7 basis. For example, if you have braces, you’ll need remove your guard when eating anything other than soft foods (like pudding). Other issues can arise as well; maybe sleeping with your guard just isn’t comfortable or breathing through your mouth makes you wheeze.
Best foods and drinks while wearing the guard
You’ll want to avoid hard foods like chips and crackers, but fruit and veggies are still good for you. You should also steer clear of super-hot foods that can burn your tongue, such as soups or stews. Instead, opt for foods that are warm or at room temperature. As far as drinks go, if you enjoy coffee or hot tea, it’s OK to indulge in those while wearing your guard—just avoid very hot liquids since they can damage soft tissue in your mouth. Soft drinks (including diet) and water are fine too. The best news is that most people eat softer food with their tongues rather than molars, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on too many flavors either!
Health Benefits
In your personal life, you may use a tongue guard when chewing ice or biting into hot peppers. Professional chefs often use these devices while cooking. Tongue guards can also protect against cuts and damage caused by accidentally touching sharp objects. For example, if you frequently carry dental tools around with you, it may be prudent to wear one at all times in case of an accident. Because even sharps have corners!
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