MouthGuards

Today most adults recognize that leading a healthy, active lifestyle is a big plus. Moderate exercise has been shown to help lower blood pressure, keep cholesterol levels under control, and even reduce feelings of anxiety or depression. To stay active, some 150 million adults in the United States get involved in sports or physical recreation every year. And every year, some of those active folks wind up being treated for sports-related dental injuries.


Who is apt to suffer this kind of injury? Men are more likely than women, but only by a few percentage points. For both sexes, the injury rate falls off rapidly after the teen years — although older athletes tend to have more severe problems. But if you thought that contact sports like football and hockey produced the greatest number of injuries…then it's time to think again: Adult males are far more likely to be injured playing basketball! Baseball, bicycling, handball, skiing, surfing and equestrian sports — plus some two dozen others — are activities that the American Dental Association (ADA) has identified as potential causes of dental injury in adults.

An Indispensable Part of Your Sports Gear: The Mouthguard

A high-quality, custom-made mouthguard should be part of every athlete's equipment. What's a mouthguard? It's a small protective device that fits over your teeth and absorbs the force of an impact, helping to protect the mouth from damage. There are different kinds of mouthguards, available from various sources. They include:

  • “Off-the shelf” types. Found in some sports retailers and big-box stores, these inexpensive guards come in S-M-L sizes, and are generally worn by clenching them between the teeth. They are probably better than nothing, if you don't mind wearing them—but they can be uncomfortable, and are of uncertain quality.
  • “Boil and bite” guards. This type of mouthguard is meant to be softened by heat, and then molded into shape by fingers, teeth and tongue. It's a better choice than the first kind, but there can be wide variation in how much mouth coverage these guards provide—and in their effectiveness.
  • The custom-fabricated mouthguard. This is the one that's made just for you: First a model of your teeth is prepared, and then is individually fabricated into a piece of protective gear for a perfect fit. It's strong, lightweight and comfortable — which means you can wear it comfortably. Because, after all, if you don't wear it, it doesn't help.


Custom-made mouthguards are an indispensable piece of equipment — especially when they could save you the inconvenience (and potentially much higher cost) of restoring or replacing teeth. So if you're the active type, consider having a custom mouthguard made for you. It's the best way to prevent a dental injury from spoiling your game

Anyone enjoying contact sports such as football, rugby or lacrosse needs to protect their teeth using a sports guard.


Custom designed sports guards are more comfortable, less bulky, non-chafing and provide better cushioning so they’re more likely to be worn.

Protects teeth from clenching and grinding while sleeping. A night guard designed by your dentist will be comfortable and do a great job of protecting your teeth.

Other Situations Where a Night Guard Is Beneficial

Wearing a night guard may also relieve jaw and joints pain for those patients experiencing TMJ or teeth grinding. And of course a night guard will protect expensive dental work such as crowns, implants and bridges from the damage caused by teeth grinding. Simply put, your teeth will last a lifetime with the proper care and attention and your dentist is there to help you protect your health, teeth and your cosmetic investment.


Night guards can also protect orthodontic patients from shifting or drifting of the teeth.

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