Sports guards are mouthguards that fit over the upper teeth to add a level of protection from impact during sports-related activities. Athletes who play contact sports such as soccer, basketball, or martial arts must wear a customized mouthguard. Made of a semi-flexible material, mouthguards help protect the teeth, gums, and soft tissues. Sports guards have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of dental injuries, as the ADA (American Dental Association) reported. Our dental office provides custom mouthguard treatment as part of general dentistry and pediatric dentistry services in Raleigh, NC.
We recommend that children and adults who play sports wear a custom mouthguard from Stonehenge Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. Wearing a sports mouthguard can prevent future dental problems. Tooth loss or damage from contact sports will require treatments like dental bonding, crowns, or dental implants. Mouthguards can also reduce impact from hits to the face during contact sports.
Why Should You Choose Professional Sports Mouthguards?
If you or your child play contact sports, there are many chances for injury. A hit to the face with a ball or another player can increase the chance of tooth damage or damage to metal braces.
Ready-made sports guards or “boil-and-bite” mouthguards are available at sporting goods stores. However, these guards are limited in size and generally do not fit well. Ill-fitting mouthguards can fall out during sports. Many athletes may also feel like they have to clench their teeth to keep their mouthguard in their mouth during a game. This can strain the jaw.
Our properly fitted sports mouthguards are customized to each patient. The mouthguards comfortably fit in your mouth and can provide the best protection.
Wearing a properly fitted sports mouthguard can prevent:
- Damage to metal braces
- Cuts or bruises to soft tissues
- Tooth damage and loss
- High impact from hits to the face
Sports mouthguards cover the front of the upper teeth. Aside from boxing mouthguards, most sports mouthguards only protect the top teeth. The lower teeth are not at a more significant impact risk because the upper teeth can protrude over the lower teeth.
A properly fitted mouthguard should fit snugly on the upper teeth and cover the gums. Mouthguards do not cover the molars; covering all teeth can feel uncomfortable and lead to gagging.
The mouthguard should not shift or slip from your teeth. Wearing an ill-fitting sports mouthguard can increase the risk of injury.
Receiving a Custom Mouthguard in Raleigh, NC
You can receive a sports mouthguard in two visits to our dental office. First, our dental office uses dental impressions to ensure the sports mouthguard fits properly. We send these impressions to a dental lab, which creates the mouthguard out of flexible plastic.
Then, you will return to our office so we can double-check the fit of your mouthguard. Once we fit the mouthguard over your teeth and ensure a good fit, you will go home with it and its case. You can choose the color of the mouthguard’s case. For our younger patients, choosing the color of your mouthguard case is an exciting part of the process.
The mouthguard covers the front teeth to prevent chips, cracks, fractures, and tooth loss. You may need a replacement mouthguard for your child as they grow. The progression of baby teeth to adult teeth can change the fit of the mouthguard. We recommend replacement mouthguards once the mouthguard wears down or is too small for the wearer.
How to Care for Sports Mouthguards
To care for sports mouthguards, gently brush them with a toothbrush and antibacterial liquid soap. Rinse the mouthguard with cool or lukewarm water. Once dry, keep it in its ventilated case.
Do not use hot water to clean your mouthguard, as this can warp the plastic. Clean the mouthguard after each use to prevent bacterial buildup and keep the appliance fresh.
If your mouthguard smells bad, you can use a mouthguard soak. You can buy mouthguard cleaning tablets from the store or online. Soak the sports mouthguard for thirty minutes, then rinse it with cool water. Mouthguard soaks can provide a deeper clean.
If you notice a change in your mouthguard’s fit, please contact our office. Your child’s mouthguard can loosen when they lose baby teeth. We often recommend replacing it every season if it no longer fits.
Custom sports mouthguards can last two or more years. However, you may need to replace your mouthguard more frequently.
Are Night Guards and Mouthguards the Same?
Night guards and mouthguards may look similar, but they are different. You cannot use them interchangeably. A custom night guard is typically made of hard acrylic that covers the upper or lower teeth.
We recommend night guards as a non-invasive treatment for patients with TMJ disorders. Patients with these bite disorders can clench or grind their teeth during sleep. This can lead to tooth wear, headaches, and jaw pain.
Like sports mouthguards, you can buy a “boil and bite” night guard from the store. However, these night guards are often made of a softer plastic that encourages you to clench and grind your teeth. Wearing a custom, professionally made night guard can protect the teeth and reduce painful symptoms. This night guard also helps prevent wear to the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
On the other hand, a sports mouthguard covers the front of the top teeth. We create custom sports mouthguards from flexible, thick plastic. Sports mouthguards are too bulky to wear at night, and night guards do not protect the front of the teeth.
Do not try to use night guards during sports or use sports mouthguards at night. We can create separate night guards and mouthguards as needed.
Protect Your Smile
Prevent tooth damage or loss by getting a custom sports mouthguard in Raleigh, NC. If you or your child need a new sports mouthguard, call us today at 919.295.0936. You may also schedule your next dental appointment with our team online. Please let us know if you have questions about getting a new sports mouthguard; we will gladly help.