Helmets, goggles, and knee pads are no-brainers when it comes to sports and contact athletics.
But when we talk to our patients about mouth guards they often seem surprised and ask if mouth guards are really necessary.
At Thornton Dental we recommend custom designed mouth guards for all our athletic patients. Let’s take a look at how helpful mouth guards can be.
The perfect mouth guard:
Usually, mouth guards cover the upper teeth. However, dentists may suggest that athletes with a protruding jaw or those who wear braces or other dental appliances on their lower jaw wear a mouth guard on their lower teeth as well.
There are three types of mouth guards:
Stock mouth protectors are sold over the counter and ready to wear. They are inexpensive and available at most sporting goods stores and department stores. However, their fit is not adjustable, they are clumsy, they make breathing and talking difficult, and worst they provide very little protection. In fact, in some instances, they can cause damage.
Boil and bite mouth protectors are also available at sporting goods stores and they offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. The “boil and bite” mouth guard is constructed from a thermoplastic material that is dunked in hot water for softening, then placed into the mouth and shaped around the teeth using pressure. This process, however, can lead to “bite through” of the generally thin material “boil and bite” mouth guards are comprised of.
Custom-fitted mouth guards are designed for each patient and manufactured based on your dentist’s instructions. Your dentist makes an impression of your teeth using a mould, and a mouth guard is then manufactured from that model. Because a custom mouth guard is composed of custom material and because of the time and work involved, custom-made mouth guards are more expensive, but they provide the most comfort and protection by a substantial margin.
Typically, mouth guards protect your upper teeth, but in some instances, sometimes depending on other protective gear, your dentist will recommend a mouth guard for lower teeth as well.
Wash your mouth guard in cool soapy water and rinse well before and after using. Don’t chew on your mouth guard or keep removable retainers in your mouth with the guard in place.
Finally, replace your mouth guard if it shows signs of age.
At Thornton Dental our custom-made mouth guards provide maximum protection and perfect fit. If you have a child, you most likely need to get a new mouth guard each year as children’s jaws grow quickly.
Finally, a custom-fitted mouth guard is a bargain compared to the dental care it can ward off. The cost of replacing a knocked-out tooth can be 20-40 times more expensive than the cost of a custom-made mouth guard. A mouth guard is an investment in dental and economic health!
So, call now to schedule an appointment to get your custom-made athletic mouth guard at Thornton Dental.
Our mission is to make dentistry affordable, without sacrificing quality of care.
Thornton Dental serves the community of Thornton, Beresfield, Tarro, Woodberry, East Maitland, Chisholm, Raymond Terrace, Green Hills, Metford, Ashtonfield, Tenambit, Morpeth, Lorn, Bolwarra Heights, and surrounding areas of Maitland.
Call us on (02) 4966 2996 or book your appointment online today!