Be On Guard!
Brushing and flossing regularly is great in preventing cavities, gum disease and other oral ailments. Today, however, we would like to go over a different kind of tooth protection: mouthguards.
Often, people only associate missing teeth in sports with Hockey. However, most contact and non-contact sports carry a risk or oral injury. With summertime approaching, both kids and adults participating in any sports should wear mouthguards to protect their teeth. They protect the lips, tongue, face, teeth and also help redistribute forces from a blow to the head. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), more than 200,000 oral injuries are prevented each year by wearing a mouthguard.
“Can you wear a mouthguard even if you have braces?” Absolutely! A mouthguard can help prevent damage to not only the brackets, but also can help protect against damaging the soft tissues on impact by creating a barrier between the braces and the inside of the mouth. Contact Wurzbach Parkway Family Dental today for more information about fitting mouthguards with braces!
There are 3 main types of mouthguards:
- Preformed mouth protectors are widely available in most sporting goods stores and come ready to wear. While they are typically the cheapest option, they are not one-size-fits-all and may not do an optimal job of protecting teeth due to the fact that they are not fitted.
- “Boil & Bite” mouth protectors are a step up from the preformed version, and can also be found in most sporting goods stores. By placing them in hot water to soften them, and then placing them in the mouth, they shape to the teeth of the wearer, offering a better fit and better protection.
- Finally, custom-fit mouthguards are also an option. They are made for each individual out of special materials from the dentist office. While they are the most expensive option, that provide the best comfort and protection.
An effective mouthguard should be comfortable, durable, easy to clean, and well-fitted to ensure proper use and optimal protection. Call us today at (210) 877-2273for more information about mouthguards, or for any other dental or orthodontic needs!
