If you are an active sportsperson or you play any contact sports, you may be at an increased risk of sports-related dental injuries. Every year countless children end up in the emergency room with a knocked out or fractured tooth due to damage suffered during sporting activities.Â
Mouthguards are highly beneficial appliances that help prevent dental injuries and protect your teeth. Anyone participating in sports that could cause an impact on the teeth should wear a protective mouthguard. At North Alabama Smiles, we provide customized mouthguards to ensure the safety of your child’s oral cavity.
What Are Mouthguards?
A mouthguard is a flexible transparent device that covers the upper teeth and safeguards the teeth and the soft tissues of the tongue, inner cheek, and lips.
Types of Mouthguards
- Stock Mouthguards
These mouthguards can be bought in sports stores and are prefabricated. They can be uncomfortable to wear as they can be bulky and may not adjust to your bite.
- Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards
These mouthguards can be altered to fit better once put in boiling water to soften the material to adjust to your bite. They offer enhanced protection and more ease than a regular stock mouthguard but still do not assure a comfortable fit as that of a customized mouthguard.
- Custom-Made Mouthguards
These mouthguards are fabricated explicitly for you. We will capture an impression of your teeth and send them to a lab to have them fabricate the appliance based on the measurements. This kind of mouthguard will provide the best fit and defense and is the most comfortable to wear during sporting activities.
How to Care for the Mouthguard
- It is pretty easy to care for your mouthguard if you follow these simple instructions.
- You must rinse your mouthguard every time you use it.
- Clean the mouthguard with a toothbrush and warm soapy water as often as possible.
- When not being used, your mouthguard should be kept in a vessel that has ample ventilation to allow the appliance to dry.
- Do not put the mouthguard in hot water or leave it outside in the sun as it could melt.
- From time to time, check the mouthguard for signs of damage. If you find any wear and tear, bring it to our office. We can determine if it needs to be replaced.
If you want to know more about mouthguards, visit North Alabama Smiles, at 55 Golfview Dr NE #5467, Arab, AL 35016. You can also reach us at (256) 586-8100.
