Sports Guards

In sporting activities, there is a great need to protect your smile. Anyone who participates in a sport knows that there is always a significant risk of injury to teeth, lips, cheek and tongue. Because of this athletes should always wear a mouth or sports guard. Sports guards are needed in activities like football, hockey, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, and volleyball. A properly fitted mouth protector will stay in place while it is worn, making it easy for you to talk and breathe. There are three types of mouth protectors:

1. Stock:

Stock mouth protectors are inexpensive and come pre-formed and ready to wear. Unfortunately, they often don’t fit very well, feeling bulky and making it difficult to breath or talk.

2. Boil and Bite:

Boil and bite mouth protectors can be purchased 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. It is extremely important to follow the manufacturer’s directions in order to not end up with a poor-fitting mouth protector.

3. Custom-fitted:

Custom-fitted mouth protectors are made by your dentist and provide the best protection and comfort for an athlete.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. For athletes, this mouthpiece has the added bonus of being custom made to be specifically advantages to their sport; variations in thickness can help offer the most protection that an athlete need, without impeding their performance.
So if you’re an athlete who wants better protection, without sacrificing your performance, make an appointment with Seton Family Dental and take a step towards bettering your dental health.