Mouth guards are crucial pieces of equipment for any person participating in virtually all recreational or sporting activities. Fitting snugly over the upper teeth, mouth guards protect the entire oral region from traumatic injury, preserving both the esthetic appearance and the health of the smile.
How can mouth guards protect you?
The majority of sporting organizations now require that participants routinely wear mouth guards. Though mouth guards are primarily designed to protect the teeth, they can also vastly reduce the degree of force transmitted from a trauma impact point (jaw) to the central nervous system (base of the brain). In this way, mouth guards help minimize the risk of traumatic brain injury.
Mouth guards also reduce the prevalence of the following injuries:
- Cheek lesions
- Concussions
- Gum and soft tissue injuries
- Jawbone fractures
- Lip lesions
- Neck injuries
- Tongue lesions
- Tooth fractures
What type of mouth guard should I purchase?
Though there are literally thousands of mouth guard brands, most brands fall into two major categories: boil and bite mouth guards and customized mouth guards.
**Fleur Dentistry offers both types of mouth guards at our office**
Boil and bite mouth guards – These mouth guards are usually made from thermoplastic. First, the thermoplastic must be immersed in hot water to make it pliable, and then it must be pressed on the teeth to create a custom mold. These mouth guards are available in youth & adult sizes with many colors to choose from.
Customized mouth guards – These mouth guards offer the greatest degree of protection, and are custom-made. An impression of the teeth is made by using special material. Then the mouth guard is constructed at a laboratory. Customized mouth guards are more expensive and take longer to fit, but are more comfortable, orthodontically correct, and fully approved by the dentist. They are available in 100's of color combinations and can be personalized.
If you have questions or concerns about choosing a mouth guard, please contact our office.