Sports Mouth Guards Specialist Q&A

Mouth guards cover the top row of teeth while playing sports to prevent injury to the mouth and teeth. They help prevent broken teeth, cut lips, and other injuries to the mouth. If you are an athlete that has braces or has something like a bridge, a mouth guard for the lower teeth may be recommended.

Mouth guards are an important piece of athletic equipment in sports that involve falls, flying equipment, or body contact. It is also recommended for children who participate in skateboarding, mountain biking, gymnastics, or any sport or activity that could result in a mouth injury. 

There are three kinds of mouth guards. Dr. Gill, DDS can help you make the right choice. Most importantly, the mouth guard needs to be resilient, comfortable, and tear-resistant. It should not resist breathing or speech.

Here are the three types of mouth guards:

Custom-made mouth guards are designed specifically for the person who wears them. They are made in a dentist’s office or a dental laboratory. Your dentist will make an impression on your teeth and then make a mouth guard from their model of them. Because they are custom fit, they will be the most comfortable and offer the best protection. These are the most expensive kind of mouth guard.

Boil and bite mouth guards come pre-formed and can be altered. The mouth guard is boiled in water to make it soft and then it is bitten into by the person who is going to use it, to make a custom fit. For best results, follow the directions carefully. These can be purchased in many sporting goods stores. While these aren’t quite as good as custom-made mouth guards, they are better than stock mouth guards.

Standard mouth guards come pre-formed and equipped to wear. They do not fit very well and can feel bulky in the mouth. These are the least expensive option.

Participation in sports by youth and adolescents has grown over the years. It is estimated that up to 25 million young people participate in competitive sports. Because of the number of young people who participate in sports, the number of injuries has also increased. It is suggested that sports account for about 36% of all unintentional injuries in young people. According to the American Dental Association, up to 20% of the injuries related to sports are maxillofacial injuries.

The National Youth Sports Foundation for Safety states that dental injuries are the most common kind of orofacial injury occurring in sports. They argue that an athlete is 60 times more likely to have impairment to their teeth if they aren’t wearing a mouth guard. These injuries often result in long-lasting damage and require medical attention.

Mouth guards are designed to cover and protect the upper row of teeth and of course, your dental health. They also protect the tongue, lips, and cheek lining from damage. A mouth guard can also protect the face when you encounter an accidental blow when participating in sports or other physical activities. It lowers the risk of broken teeth, and other more serious injuries to the lips, tongue, face, or jawbone. You can also visit us at our General Dentistry Clinic in Fresno. To consult with our professionals at Prabhdeep K. Gill DDS, call us for more information, or request an appointment online today! We are conveniently located at 7215 N First St Suite 107 Fresno CA 93720. We serve patients from Fresno CA, Clovis CA, Burness CA, Gordon CA, Calwa CA, and Easton CA.