If you’re looking for a dental guard, it can be hard to know where to start. There are plenty of choices out there, at all kinds of price points and levels of quality. You want the best for your dental health, but you don’t want to overspend needlessly. Luckily there is a great option available: Here are the top four reasons to consider over-the-counter custom dental guards.

Fit

The most important factor when choosing a dental guard is fit. If it doesn’t fit properly or feel comfortable, it’s not going to do much good. Dental guards should fit snugly but without any pinching, digging, or poking. With over-the-counter custom dental guards, you can easily create the perfect fit yourself — and adjust as needed. There’s also no messy boiling and biting. You don’t have to create an appointment with a specialist or have to replace your old guard if it doesn’t fit well.

Cost

When it comes to dental guards, you can almost pay as much (or as little) as you want. But the cheapest dental guards are unlikely to provide a good fit. Custom dental guards through your dentist’s office or a specialist can become very expensive, and not all dental insurance plans offer coverage for those costs. Over-the-counter custom dental guards offer a great middle-of-the-road option: they provide the customizable fit that you find with higher-end dental guards, but at a drugstore price.

Availability

Ordering custom dental guards through your dentist or another specialist takes a lot of time: the process requires the creation of a custom mold, ordering the dental guard from a manufacturer, and shipping and handling after it’s been created. With over-the-counter custom dental guards, you can quickly find them at your local drugstore, easily adjust them for an ideal fit, and get started wearing them right away. There’s no need to waste a lot of time waiting for the dental guard to come to you.

Protection

If you’re suffering from bruxism (nighttime teeth grinding), you’re at risk for a wide range of side effects. Damaged tooth enamel, broken or cracked teeth, headaches and jaw pain, or long-term issues with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ or TMD) are all possibilities if you’re grinding your teeth at night. These are serious issues and can require expensive dental repairs. Dental guards are one of the best ways to protect your teeth and promote good oral health. Over-the-counter custom dental guards provide a flexible and cost-effective way to ensure your teeth are protected from the effects of bruxism.

Think that your teeth could benefit from an over-the-counter custom dental guard? Visit www.sleepright.com to learn more.