If you or your child is involved in sports, athletic mouthguards should be on your list of safety gear you need for safety. Per the National Athletic Trainer’s Association, 39% of dental injuries are caused by sports, many of which could be prevented by wearing a mouthguard. If you want to reduce the chance of serious dental injury and the cost associated with tooth repairs in your family, athletic mouthguards are a wise investment. There are a few options available, but the coolest trend is a customized dental mouthguard made by your dentist.
Types of Athletic Mouthguards
Wearing a mouthguard while playing sports like football, hockey, lacrosse and wrestling can prevent many dental and soft tissue injuries. athletic mouthguards provide shock absorption for the teeth and protect the lips and soft tissues from laceration from the teeth on impact. In any sport or activity where the face may be hit or jarred, it can be beneficial to wear a mouthguard to protect the teeth and oral tissues. There are three types of athletic mouthguards available:
-
- Stock mouthguard. You can buy ready-made mouthguards at retail sports stores. However, these are poorly fitted, fall out easily and are the most uncomfortable.
-
- Boil and bite. The next step up is the boil and bite mouthguard, which uses a soft plastic that is heated and forms to the teeth while it is softened.
- Customized dental mouthguard. The highest quality in athletic mouthguards is the customized option that is made by your dentist, formed perfectly for your bite.
Why Customized Athletic Mouthguards Are the Coolest
What is “cool” about customized athletic mouthguard is that they are the most effective at protecting your smile while offering the best comfort. They last longer, fit better and are formed to give teeth and oral tissues the highest level of protection. Kids and teens are very self-conscious about their appearance and customized athletic mouthguard are the best option to protect their smile from knocked-out or chipped teeth and other injuries. Plus, the customized option is more comfortable and looks better, which means your child is more likely to wear their mouthguard when they are playing sports.
At Mission Bend Family Dentistry, we create comfortable, protective athletic mouthguards for our patients. Call us today to schedule a consultation for you or your child to get fitted for a customized mouthguard that will help reduce the chance of an oral injury and the cost of possible dental repairs.