If you wear a mouth guard, it’s essential to replace it regularly. Most medical professionals recommend replacing your mouth guard every six months, as this helps keep your teeth healthy and ensures you get a good night’s sleep. But how do you know when to replace your mouth guard? Let’s look at the importance of regularly replacing your mouth guard and the signs indicating it’s time for a new one - after all, it sustains the force of your jaw muscles every night!
Regularly replacing your Mouth Guard is important for a few reasons:
1. Wearing a mouth guard helps keep your teeth and jaw healthy. Wearing a mouth guard each night effectively safeguards against tooth wear during sleep. By creating a physical barrier between teeth and other areas of the mouth, these dental mouth guards provide peace of mind by assuring your pearly whites remain pristinely intact.
2. Regularly replacing your mouth guard is essential to ensure a restful slumber. By wearing a mouth guard every night, you significantly decrease the chance of encountering toothache or other dental issues during the late-night hours - an issue that could otherwise be very inconvenient!
3. The plastic used in these devices often wears down over time and may no longer be properly fitted within the mouth. If you have been using it for more than six months, then it is time to invest in a new one!
4. Bacteria can accumulate on it over time, leading to odors and irritated gums that may reduce the quality of sleep you experience with it - so regular replacement ensures that your mouth guard protector stays germ-free to allow for restful slumber without any interruptions or discomfort.
Signs You Need to Replace Your Mouth Guard
So what are the signs that it's time to replace your mouth guard? Here are several signs that it's time for a new one:
1. Your Mouth Guard is Frayed or Damaged
If your mouth guard is frayed, damaged, or has come loose, it's time to replace it. This is because wearing a frayed or damaged mouth guard can cause damage to your teeth and jaw and lead to toothache and other dental problems in the middle of the night.
2. You Experience Frequent Soreness or Pain in Your Jaws While Wearing the Current Mouth Guard
If you experience frequent soreness or pain in your jaws while wearing your current mouth guard, it's time to replace it. This is because, over time, the worn-out plastic used in most mouth guards can cause these types of problems.
3. Your Mouth Guard does Not Fit Properly
If your mouth guard does not fit properly, it is not creating a proper barrier between your teeth and the rest of your mouth. This can lead to tooth grinding and jaw clenching, both detrimental to oral health.
3. You're Wearing a Mouth Guard that's Too Small or Too Big
If you're wearing a mouth guard that's too small; it won't protect your teeth and jaw effectively. This is because a mouth guard must fit closely around your teeth to be effective. If the mouth guard is too small, it might not fit properly and cause toothache and other dental problems in the middle of the night.
4. Your Teeth Feel Looser or More Sensitive After Wearing the Same Mouth Guard
If your teeth feel looser or more sensitive after wearing the same mouth guard for a period of time, replace it. This is because wearing a mouth guard can help to protect your teeth and jaw by creating a physical barrier between your teeth and the rest of your mouth. However, if you're experiencing this symptom, it might be a sign that your mouth guard isn't fitting properly or is damaged.
5. Your Current Mouth Guard Has Started to Lose Its Shape or Color
If your current mouth guard has begun to take on an unappealing appearance or become flimsy, it may be time to replace it. After all, the plastic used in such guards can become brittle over time, ultimately resulting in their breaking or becoming unsightly.
6. You're Experiencing More Difficulty Breathing While Wearing Your Mouth Guard
If you experience difficulty breathing, you should consult a medical professional. If your difficulty in breathing persists when you're wearing your mouth guard, it may be time to replace it. This is because a poorly-fitted or damaged appliance can impede airflow and result in interrupted sleep during the wee hours of the night - something that could potentially exacerbate existing respiratory issues.
7. You May Have Noticed Your Teeth Shifted Ever so Slightly
This movement may not be noticeable at first, but it can lead to an uncomfortable mouth guard fit over time. Luckily, several factors may prompt this change - such as simple behaviors, including chewing or speaking.
8. You've Recently Completed Some New Dental Work
In such instances, it is advisable to replace your current mouth guard with a replacement once the dental work has concluded to maintain optimal protection against damage. Examples of new dental work include tooth removal, crowns, dental implants, veneers, or starting to wear aligners. After this dental work, consider replacing your current mouth guard with a new one and then every six months.
The Bottom Line
Maintaining proper oral hygiene is essential for both dental health and overall well-being. Replacing your mouth guard every six months helps ensure that it fits properly so you can enjoy a good night's sleep without any distractions or discomfort. Keep an eye out for signs like loose teeth, soreness in jaws, loosening of the fit of the mouth guard, excessive bacteria build-up, etc., as these are all indicators that it might be time for a replacement! With regular replacement, you will surely enjoy many peaceful nights of restful sleep!
How Can Remi Help?
Remi offers a wide variety of oral hygiene products, including mouth guards. We would be happy to help you find the right mouth guard for your needs and ensure you get the most out of your oral hygiene regime.
