Custom Mouthguards

Custom sports mouthguards are an important part of participating is many sports. Because many sports involve contact in various forms, trauma to the mouth, teeth, and gums is common. Wearing a mouth piece could literally mean avoiding thousands of dollars in dental emergencies.

Custom mouthgurads offer patients many benefits compared to the store bought kind. A dental lab will custom make it from molds of your teeth so the fit is precise. Your mouth piece will never fall out, shift around, or distract in the middle of the game.

The store bought kinds are one size fits all. This makes impossible to stay in place. Players may find it difficult to communicate with their teammates or coaches. Additionally, they may find themselves clenching their jaw to keep their mouthguard in place. Jaw clenching can also add stress and pressure to the jaw.

Most importantly, custom mouthguards simply offer better protection. This general dental solution is made from thick durable plastic that prevents tooth and gum damage. Since they construct them from superior materials, they offer better impact protection.

RECEIVING A SPORTS MOUTHGUARD

Dr. Leatherwood will take impressions of the teeth to ensure a custom fit. She will send the information to a local dental lab. During your second appointment in our office, we will fit your mouthguard and make any minor adjustments that you need.

You should clean your mouthguard after every use. You can brush the mouthguard gently or rinse the mouthguard with soap and water. We will provide you with a case for your mouthguard so it does not get damaged. We suggest replacing it every sports season or at least once a year to ensure optimal protection.

MOUTHGUARDS FAQS

CAN MOUTHGUARDS TREAT TMJ?

Yes, mouthguards can help patients who clench and grind their teeth because of a TMJ disorder. However, these mouthguards are different from sports mouthguards. Sports mouthguards are made of thicker plastic and you cannot use it to treat bruxism. A custom nightguard is very similar to a mouthguard, but it used to prevent the teeth from grinding together.

HOW LONG WILL MY CUSTOM MOUTHGUARD LAST?

These mouthguards are built to last and withstand regular use. We highly recommend that you replace them about every six months to a year. However, if you take good care of yours, it can last up to three years. It really depends on wear and tear and if there are any changes to your teeth.

HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY MOUTHGUARD?

Bacteria and other bad microorganisms are on your mouthguard. And when you place them in dark, moist environments, the bacteria will flourish. This can make you sick and give you really bad breath. You will need to clean them after each use to avoid this. All you need to so is brush it with a toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Then store it in a well ventilated case.

WHY SHOULD I GET A CUSTOM MOUTHGUARD?

A custom mouthguard offers more protection than a store bought one. If you want to avoid pay lots of money for emergency dental work, then it would be wise to get a custom one made versus buying a generic one from a store.