Mouthguards
A mouthguard should be considered an essential piece of equipment for every athlete who participates in contact sports and activities—adults and children both. A mouth guard cushions the blow when you are hit and can prevent serious injuries that may result in a lifetime of oral health problems. Our mouthguards are custom-made from a lightweight material that is both comfortable and effective and can be easily inserted and removed when needed. They do not interfere with your regular breathing or speaking.
Types of Mouthguards
Preformed mouthguards: Preformed mouthguards are available at sports stores and have unique teeth patterns. They are the most affordable version available, but they are not very comfortable unless the wearer has perfectly aligned teeth. Many people find these preformed mouthguards painful on the gums.
“Boil and bite” mouthguards: Partially adjustable, “boil and bite” mouthguards are also found at sports stores. They are flat and relatively hard until placed in a pot of boiling water. The user then lets them cool slightly and mold it onto their teeth using their fingers and tongue. These mouthguards are significantly more comfortable than the preformed mouthguards.
Personalized or custom mouthguards: Made in the dental office, personalized mouthguards are the best-fitting devices. To make the safest and most comfortable mouthguard, Dr. Miller takes an impression of your teeth. The impression is used to mold a personalized mouthguard from a soft and resistant material. They are unbeatable when it comes to comfort and protection. Personalized mouthguards are highly recommended for patients wearing braces.
There are several reasons why wearing a mouth guard when playing sports is important. First, mouth guards protect against displacing teeth as they help distribute force over all of your teeth, which prevents one, or two, teeth from bearing the blunt of the blow. They can also protect against injuries to soft tissues and prevent jaw and teeth fractures. And, ultimately, mouth guards may help prevent against concussions as the padding could lessen the force between the upper and lower rows of teeth and lessen the force of the jaw as it pushes on the skull.