A mouthguard should be worn by any athlete who competes in sports where their mouth may come into contact with other players, hard surfaces, or equipment. Many patients are surprised to learn that sports injuries are the leading cause of tooth loss in patients under the age of 25, so our young patients must have the proper mouthguards when they begin participating in athletics. Our custom mouthguards provide improved comfort when compared to store-bought kinds, so please don't hesitate to inquire about our custom sports mouth guards during your next appointment at Woodruff Family Dental.
Athletic mouthguards are devices that you wear over your teeth to protect yourself against dental and orofacial injuries when playing sports. They are normally worn over the top teeth, though it may be necessary for some situations to cover the bottom teeth as well.
Mouthguards for sports serve as a buffer between the soft tissue in the tongue, lips, gums, and cheek lining and the hard teeth, preventing injury to these sensitive tissues. Mouthguards also aid in the prevention of tooth and jaw injuries by cushioning and redistributing shock in the event of a strong impact on the mouth.
The Custom Mouthguard
Because it is custom-made by our dentist, this mouthguard is exactly fitted to your teeth. It has a molded print of all of your teeth for comfort, performance, and protection.
It makes it easy to speak and breathe, and it fits comfortably in the mouth since it correctly molds the teeth. These, however, are the most expensive.
The Ready-To-Wear Mouthguard
These are inexpensive and widely available in sporting goods stores. Simply put it in your mouth and play, but remember to clench your teeth to keep it there.
Because of its large size, this mouth protector does not always conform to the curve of the teeth and makes breathing difficult. Unfortunately, it provides little protection.
The Boil and Bite Mouthguard
This mouthguard is submerged in hot water and softened before being placed in the mouth and bitten to fit around the teeth and match the contour of the mouth.
It can provide superior protection to ready-to-wear dental guards and is available in a variety of colors and flavors at sporting goods retailers.
For more information on athletic mouth guards and their benefits, contact Woodruff Family Dental. To book an appointment, visit 2800 Enterprise Cv, Jonesboro, AR 72401, or call (870) 972-8190.
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