If you or your child plays sports, you understand how crucial it is to prevent injuries. Helmets, pads, and other protective gear are common, but have you considered your teeth? Custom sports mouthguards are critical in keeping your teeth, mouth, and braces safe during athletic activities. At Wesley Dental, you can get a custom mouthguard in our Greenville, TX, dental office to protect your smile while you stay active.
Custom mouthguards are part of general dentistry. Wearing a mouthguard for basketball, football, soccer, or other sports with contact between players can prevent the need for future dental care. Hits to the face and mouth can result in knocked-out teeth,
Benefits of Custom Sports Mouthguards
Custom sports mouthguards in our Greenville, TX office offer several key benefits that make them the best choice for athletes:
- Superior Fit: Custom mouthguards are designed to fit the exact shape of your teeth. We take impressions of your teeth so they can offer better protection and comfort than over-the-counter options. This personalized fit helps keep the mouthguard securely in place, offers superior cushioning, and reduces the risk of injuries.
- Better Protection and Strength: Because they fit so well, custom mouthguards stay in place and offer superior protection against dental injuries. Made from high-quality materials, custom mouthguards are built to last and can withstand the wear and tear of regular sports activities.
- Comfortable to Wear: Custom mouthguards allow you to breathe and speak more easily, making them more comfortable to wear during sports. With custom sports mouthguards, you can speak and drink. The mouthguard will not feel bulky in your mouth.
- Adaptable for Braces: If you wear braces, we can create a custom mouthguard to fit over them. That way, you can protect your teeth and your braces. Wearing a sports mouthguard can prevent broken braces wires that can irritate your gum tissue.
How Custom Mouthguards Protect Your Teeth
Custom sports mouthguards are specifically designed to fit your teeth and gums. This snug fit ensures that your teeth and soft tissues are protected from impact during sports like football, basketball, soccer, or hockey. A custom mouthguard absorbs the shock of a hit or fall, which can help prevent broken teeth, chipped teeth, and other dental injuries.
For those with braces, custom mouthguards are even more important. Braces can make your teeth and gums more vulnerable to damage. A blow to the face could result in cuts, broken brackets, or even knocked-out teeth.
Custom mouthguards fit over braces comfortably, providing extra protection for both your braces and your teeth. This ensures that your orthodontic treatment stays on track while keeping your smile safe.
Over-the-Counter vs. Custom-Made Mouthguards
When choosing a sports mouthguard, you have two main options: over-the-counter (OTC) or custom-made mouthguards.
OTC mouthguards are readily available in sporting goods stores and pharmacies. They are usually one-size-fits-all or boil-and-bite mouthguards that you can mold to your teeth at home. While these options are convenient and inexpensive, they don’t offer the best fit.
A poorly fitting mouthguard can shift around in your mouth, making it harder to breathe, talk, or even stay in place during a game. It also doesn’t provide the same level of protection because it won’t perfectly contour to your teeth and gums.
Your dentist creates custom sports mouthguards to match your unique dental structure. They offer a superior fit compared to OTC mouthguards, ensuring the mouthguard stays in place during intense activities.
The snug fit also allows for easier breathing and speaking, making it more comfortable to wear for long periods. Custom-made mouthguards provide the highest level of protection because they are designed to cushion your teeth and jaw from injury.
Although OTC mouthguards are cheaper upfront, custom-made mouthguards are a better long-term investment in your dental health. The precise fit and superior protection can save you from costly dental repairs in the future.
How to Get a Custom Mouthguard at the Dentist
Getting a custom sports mouthguard at our Greenville, TX, dental office is simple. Here’s what you can expect during the process:
Dental Exam and Impressions
Our dentist will first check your teeth and gums to make sure there are no underlying issues that need attention before creating your mouthguard. This exam helps ensure that your mouth is healthy and ready for a custom fit.
After your dental exam, our dentist will take impressions of your teeth. This involves biting into a soft material that captures the exact shape of your teeth and gums. These impressions will create a mouthguard that fits your mouth perfectly.
Mouthguard Creation
The impressions are sent to a dental lab where your custom mouthguard is crafted. The lab uses high-quality, durable materials to create a mouthguard that is strong enough to protect your teeth while being comfortable to wear. Custom mouthguards are designed to fit snugly around your teeth and braces (if you have them), providing the best possible protection.
Fitting and Adjustments
Once your custom mouthguard is ready, you’ll return to the dental office for a fitting. Our dentist will ensure the mouthguard fits comfortably and properly covers your teeth and gums. If needed, we can make small adjustments to ensure the mouthguard fits just right.
How to Care For Sports Mouthguards
Our dentist will give you instructions on how to care for your custom mouthguard. After each game or practice, rinse your mouthguard with cool water to remove any saliva or debris. Use a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to gently scrub your mouthguard. This helps get rid of bacteria and keep it fresh.
You can soak your mouthguard in a mouthwash or a denture cleaner for a few minutes to disinfect it and eliminate any odors. Let your mouthguard air dry completely before storing it. This helps prevent bacteria from growing. Once your mouthguard is dry, keep it in its ventilated case.
With proper care, your custom mouthguard can last for a long time. If you notice a change in how your mouthguard fits, please contact us as soon as possible.
Get a Custom-Made Mouthguard
Make sure your child is ready for the upcoming sports season. Get a custom sports mouthguard in Greenville, TX, from Wesley Dental by calling 903-270-5279. You can also schedule an appointment with us on our website.