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Mouth Guards
Use a
mouth guard
during any
activity that
could result in
a blow to the
face or mouth.
A properly
fitted
mouth guard can
help prevent
broken teeth
and injuries to
the lips,
tongue, face or
jaw. It will
stay in place
while you are
wearing it,
making it easy
for you to talk
and breath.
Talk to your
dentist about
having a custom
mouth guard made
specifically
for you. This
will fit
comfortably and
offer the best
protection for
your smile.
Do I need a
mouth
protector?
Anyone who
participates in
a sport that
carries a
significant
risk of injury
should wear a
mouth
protector. This
includes a wide
range of sports
like football,
hockey,
basketball,
baseball,
gymnastics, and
volleyball.
Mouth
protectors,
which typically
cover the upper
teeth, can
cushion a blow
to the face,
minimizing the
risk of broken
teeth and
injuries to the
soft tissues of
the mouth. If
you wear braces
or another
fixed dental
appliance on
your lower jaw,
your dentist
may suggest a
mouth protector
for these teeth
as well.
What are the
advantages of
using a mouth
protector?
Accidents can
happen during
any physical
activity. A
mouth protector
can help
cushion a blow
to the face
that otherwise
might result in
an injury to
the mouth. A
misdirected
elbow in a
one-on-one
basketball game
or a spill off
a bicycle can
leave you with
chipped or
broken teeth,
nerve damage to
a tooth or even
tooth loss. A
mouth protector
can limit the
risk of such
injuries as
well as protect
the soft
tissues of your
tongue, lips
and cheek
lining.
A properly
fitted mouth
protector will
stay in place
while you are
wearing it,
making it easy
for you to talk
and breathe.
Are there
different types
of mouth
protectors?
There are three
types of mouth
protectors:
1.
Stock
Stock mouth
protectors are
inexpensive and
come
pre-formed,
ready to wear.
Unfortunately,
they often
don’t fit very
well. They can
be bulky and
can make
breathing and
talking
difficult.
2.
Boil and bite
Boil and bite
mouth
protectors also
can be bought
at many
sporting goods
stores and may
offer a better
fit than stock
mouth
protectors.
They should be
softened in
water, then
inserted and
allowed to
adapt to the
shape of your
mouth. If you
don’t follow
the directions
carefully you
can wind up
with a
poor-fitting
mouth
protector.
3.
Custom-fitted
Custom-fitted
mouth
protectors are
made by your
dentist for you
personally.
They are more
expensive than
the other
versions, but
because they
are customized
they can offer
a better fit
than anything
you can buy off
the shelf.
I wear braces.
Can I use a
mouth
protector?
A properly
fitted mouth
protector may
be especially
important for
people who wear
braces or have
fixed bridge
work. A blow to
the face could
damage the
brackets or
other fixed
orthodontic
appliances. A
mouth protector
also provides a
barrier between
the braces and
your cheek or
lips, limiting
the risk of
soft tissue
injuries.
Talk to your
dentist or
orthodontist
about selecting
a mouth
protector that
will provide
the best
protection.
Although mouth
protectors
typically only
cover the upper
teeth, your
dentist or
orthodontist
may suggest
that you use a
mouth protector
on the lower
teeth if you
have braces on
these teeth
too.
If you have a
retainer or
other removable
appliance, do
not wear it
during any
contact sports.
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