Mouthguards should be an essential part of an athlete’s standard gear. While certain sports like football, lacrosse and hockey have long used mouthguards; other sports like basketball, baseball/softball, gymnastics and skateboarding often result in blows to the head and face that can cause injuries to the teeth and jaws. Mouthguards can also help reduce the severity of concussions.
There are two basic types
of mouthguards: the “boil and bite” type and the custom-made type. The “boil and bite” mouthguard is fitted by the athlete him or herself by dipping it into boiling water for a couple of minutes, and then forming it to the teeth while it is soft and moldable. This is the less costly type, can be re-molded by reboiling it if need be and for many people it works fine. Some people require a more precise fit than a “boil and bite” mouthguard can provide. For them, their dentist can make a custom-made mouthguard. The dentist makes impressions of the teeth and a laboratory-processed mouthguard is then fabricated. It fits much more comfortably because of the custom-fit.
The most important type of mouthguard is the one that is ACTUALLY WORN. If it is not comfortable, people have a tendency to leave them out and of course, that doesn’t protect anything! An injury to teeth can cost thousands of dollars to repair so investing in a well-fitting mouthguard is a worthwhile investment.
If you, your family or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!
Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,
39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360. www.drshooverandyanda.com
ment: Talk to your dentist about when is the right time to replace your mouthguard, but replace it immediately if it shows sign of wear, is damaged or ill-fitting. Teens and children may need to replace their mouthguards more often because their mouths are still growing and changing. Between games, it’s important to keep your mouthguard clean and dry. Here are some tips for making sure your mouthguard is always ready to go:
Mouthguards help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. They typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining. Your top teeth take the brunt of trauma because they stick out more. Your bottom teeth are a little more protected because they are further back.