What Do Sports Mouth Guards Do?
One-third of all dental emergencies happen while playing a sport. Wearing a mouth guard can greatly decrease your chances of having a dental emergency. Contact sports involve a lot of hitting or running forcefully into other players, so getting hit in the mouth is bound to happen. If you don’t wear a sports guard, a blow to the mouth could cause a broken, loose, or knocked out tooth.
Sports mouth guards protect your teeth while you play your sport by creating a barrier between your teeth and anything that may hit them. A sports mouth guard is worn on your upper teeth and completely covers the teeth all the way up to the gums. A quality mouth guard will be tear-resistant and durable against focused hits. Breathing and talking should be easy and comfortable with a good mouth guard.
Types of Sports Mouth Guards
Stock Mouth Guards- Available at drug stores or sporting goods stores, stock mouth guards come in a few pre-formed sizes. They are inexpensive, but uncomfortable and not durable.
Boil and Bite Mouth Guards- These are made of a thermoplastic material that is boiled in water to soften, which you bite into to make an impression of your teeth. They are more comfortable than stock mouth guards but don’t last long.
Custom Mouth Guards- Custom mouth guards are made in a lab using impressions of your teeth taken by your dentist. They are the most expensive option, but they last the longest and are the most durable and the most comfortable option.
Hale Family Dentistry offers custom sports mouth guards for you or your child. Call or visit our office to learn more!