Mouthguards/Sports Guards
Rocklin, CA
 If your child is involved in any sport, including football, hockey, soccer, baseball, skateboarding, gymnastics, and mountain biking among others, they are prone to injuring their mouth. Sports mouthguards are specially designed devices worn on the teeth to protect them from impacts and injuries. They are important protective devices for anyone taking part in any sports that involve falling, collision, body contact, or having flying objects. Sports mouthguards usually cover the upper jaw, and their main function is to protect the teeth from injuries, lip cuts, and other damages to the mouth. Our dentist can suggest having a mouthguard for individuals who have undergone other dental procedures such as dental veneers, dental crowns, and dental bridges on the lower jaw. If you play any of the sports mentioned and you are prone to injuries, Smile Island Pediatric & Adult Dental Group will help you fit the sports mouthguard effectively and reduce the risks of damaging your teeth and mouth.
The Importance of a Sports Mouthguard
A sports guard, as the name suggests, is an important athletic appliance for children (and adults) that participate in sporting activities. Sports like football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and even gymnastics put your child at a higher risk for injury or trauma. We typically recommend a sports guard to prevent your child from chipping, breaking, loosening or knocking-out their teeth. Accidents happen, especially with children. Any child that participates in activities that may involve body contact, falls, and flying equipment will benefit from wearing a mouthguard. Most sports guards are designed to cover upper teeth. However, we may fabricate one for the lower jaw as well if your child has braces or other fixed appliances.
Types of Sports Mouthguards
Our dentist will enable you to choose a mouthguard that is resilient, comfortable, and tear-resistant to protect your mouth, lips, and teeth. There are three types of sports mouthguards to choose from. One type is the custom-made mouthguards, which are specifically designed for your child by our dentist in the laboratory, to fit your needs and ensure comfortability. The other mouthguard is the boil and bite, which needs to be boiled to soften them, then your child will bite to ensure they perfectly fit in your mouth. The last type is the stock mouthguard, which comes ready to wear for any individual. Depending on the type of activity and dental formation, our dentist will suggest the best sports mouthguard for your child. Factors that will determine your choice of mouthguard include your child's dental formation, budget, and the kind of sport played. Some sports like hockey require more customized mouthguards as compared to other sports.
How Long Do Mouthguards Last
There is no definite duration as to how long the mouthguard should last. Its duration depends on how often the mouthguard is used, the type of mouthguard, and other determinants. Through periodic visits to our dentist, they will inform you when to change the current mouthguard. For adolescents and young adults, changing the mouthguard is done regularly because their teeth are still developing. For professional athletes, a new season might require a new sports mouthguard. To ensure your mouthguard lasts for a longer time, you’ll have to maintain it as instructed by our professionals.
Staying protected from injuries is one way of making sure you enjoy playing the sport without limits and fear. It is essential to protect teeth, lips, and mouth to ensure we avoid injuries that might be expensive to treat or might obstruct a sports career. For more information on how this sports mouthguard will work for your child and have them fitted, kindly contact Smile Island Pediatric & Adult Dental Group at 916-773-6565 today. |
