Back-to-School means back to sports. Protect your student athlete’s teeth and smile with a properly-fit sport dental mouthguard from Hibiscus Dental.

What is a sport mouthguard?

Sport Mouthguards, also called mouth protectors, help protect your face and teeth to minimizie the risk of injuries. Mouthguards typically cover the upper teeth and are also a great way to protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining.

Should Your Student Athlete Wear a Mouthguard?

When it comes to protecting the mouth of your athletic child during school or community contact sports, a mouthguard can be a required piece of athletic gear and is often considered standard equipment for athletes of all ages. While collision and contact sports, such as boxing and football, are higher-risk sports for the mouth, any athlete could experience a dental injury, even in non-contact activities, such as gymnastics and skating.

Sport Mouthguard Types

There are three basic types of mouthguards available.

Custom-made:  The best mouthguard is one that has been custom made for the mouth by your dentist. They are individually created and fitted for comfort and can be made for any size mouth or unique dental consideration. The best fit also offers the best protection and is the most comfortable, leading them to be worn the most often.

Boil and bite:  These are often sold in sporting goods stores and drugstores and may offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. They are first softened in hot water, then inserted and allowed to adapt to the shape of your mouth.

Stock:  These are inexpensive and come pre-formed. Unfortunately, they often don’t fit very well. They can be bulky and can make breathing and talking difficult.

Protecting Your Braces

A properly fitted mouthguard is especially important for people who wear braces. A blow to the face can damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances and also may create significant cuts and injury. If you wear a retainer or removable appliance, never wear it during contact sports, and always wear your mouthguard!

Mouthguard Replacement

Talk to your dentist about the right time to replace your existing mouthguard, as we grow our teeth may move and the size of our mouths and shape of our bites change.  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.

Between games, it’s important to clean your sport mouthguard then store it dry to protect it.

Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor at Hibiscus Dental if you have any questions. You can also read more about mouthguards at:  http://www.mouthhealthy.org/