Preventing Trauma with a Dental Mouthguard

Many of us remember suffering a chipped or broken tooth in an accident as a child, but with today’s dental technology, most dental trauma can be prevented.

For contact sports we recommend a custom-fitted sports mouthguard. A mouthguard can prevent damage to the teeth, lips, cheeks and tongue by cushioning blows to the face and neck. Custom-fitted dental mouthguards are designed to cover all back teeth and cushion the entire jaw, and can prevent concussions caused by blows to the chin.
Mouthguards fit securely in the mouth, so they don’t interfere with talking or breathing.

To create a custom-fitted dental mouthguard, the dentist first makes a cast model of your teeth. This model is then used to create a perfectly fitted custom mouthguard.

Can’t I Just Buy a Mouth Guard at the Store?
Yes, you can buy an inexpensive mouthguard made of rubber or polyvinyl at most sporting goods stores and drug stores. You boil the mouthguard in water to make it soft and pliable, cool it slightly, insert it in the mouth, and then bite down gently to shape it.

These mouthguards are a good choice for young children who still have a mix of “baby” and permanent teeth, because as their teeth change you can re-boil the mouthguard to alter it’s shape.

However, store-bought mouthguards tend to be bulkier and therefore less comfortable than custom made mouthguards. Only a dentist is an expert in custom-fitting mouthguards to your mouth, so serious athletes should also get a more durable custom-fitted athletic mouthguard.

What Maintenance is Required?
Dental mouthguards are easy to maintain. After each use, rinse your mouthguard with warm water or mouth wash, and allow it to air dry (most guards have air holes).

With proper maintenance your custom-fitted mouthguard should last longer, and provide protection against injury, and much more costly dental repair work.
For a custom-fitted dental mouthguard, see your local dentist today.