Sports Mouthguards at St. Leonards Green Dental
A professionally fitted athletic mouthguard is one of the most important pieces of protective equipment you’ll ever invest in. The custom appliance protects your teeth, gums, lips and jaws.
Some even suggest that the difference between a customised guard and an over-the-counter version is their ability to reduce the chance of concussions. It’s not just your smile that is protected but your brain and spine as well!
With a customised appliance, your athletic mouthguard will stay in place when you need it to. Secondary trauma won’t cause it to bounce or fall out of your mouth, ensuring you’re as safe as possible.
Getting Your Mouthguard Made
At St. Leonards Green Dental, to achieve the best (and most comfortable) fit possible, we’ll take an impression of your teeth and create a replica model of your bite. From there, our lab will melt a thick acrylic sheet over it. You can even select the colour of your choice, to match your favourite sports team.
After making a few more adjustments and smoothing out the trimmed edges, your custom athletic appliance will be ready to start wearing. It’s usually a few days or up to a week before your appliance is available.
Sports Mouthguards for Children
Children’s smiles are rapidly growing and changing. Updating their sports guard should be something you do each year, to accommodate jaw growth and new teeth coming in. As your teen gets older and physically mature, they can keep their athletic appliance for reuse season after season.
Be sure to have a special place to store the guard, so that it doesn’t get lost or accidentally misplaced.
Reasons for Getting a Custom Appliance
While it may seem easier to get a one-size mouthguard from the store, wearing a professional design offers a number of advantages. For one, it’s made to stay put when you need it to. The form-fitting design hugs each tooth, so that it won’t shift around during the game, while you’re talking to the coach or if you’re sipping some water. But most importantly, it offers a higher level of protection when you need it the most. It can even protect your jaws from certain types of serious injuries.
Plus, they’re covered by CDBS so your child can have a new mouthguard made each year as their smile grows.
Why Wear a Custom Mouthguard?
- Better fit
- Easier to talk and drink with
- Greater protection against trauma
- Won’t slip out of place
- More durable than over-the-counter options
Taking Care of Your Sports Guard
Treat your athletic mouthguard the same way you would any other type of oral appliance. Store it in a special retainer or denture box in a cool, dry place. Be sure to clean it regularly with lukewarm tap water and a toothbrush. If you prefer, an effervescent denture cleanser can also be used. Regular maintenance will help prevent bacterial buildup and possible infections.
GET STARTED TODAY
Schedule a trip to our office for a quick impression. In about a week or so, your new athletic appliance will be ready to wear. Contact us today to request your appointment.
* Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.