Sports Mouth Guards
Stuart, FL
In most sports played today, wearing a mouth guard is recommended and some coaches even require that you wear one. A mouth guard is a protective, plastic device worn in the mouth to protect the gums and teeth to any energy from impact. Mouth guards can protect us from having broken teeth, teeth knocked out, damaged gums, busted lips, etc. which can lead to other problems if not taken care of correctly.
Damage to our mouths not only is painful, but it can also cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills. Our dentists advise that any athlete playing a contact sport wear a mouth guard and if any damage is done with or without one, they can help fix your teeth and gums. Here at Colin M. McKinney, DMD, our dentists can help you with any damage done to your mouth while playing a contact sport.
Different Types of Mouth Guards
Mouth guards are usually made out of sturdy, flexible plastic and come in three different types. While the main focus of all mouth guards is to protect your teeth, there might be some better fit for you than others. A stock mouth guard is preformed into a mouth shape and come ready to wear. They are the most inexpensive ones to buy and can be found in most department and athletic stores. While they are inexpensive and the first choice for most athletes, they are usually extremely bulky, and not much can be done about how they fit into your mouth.
Another type of mouth protectors, are the boil and bite mouth guards. These can also be found at most department and athletic stores and are a better fit than most stock mouth guards. Just as they are called, you boil the mouth guard that is made out of thermoplastic, and once it has been boiled for so long, you bite it. This gives it the same shape as your teeth and mouth, making it a better fit.
The most expensive mouth guard that can be bought is custom fit to your mouth only. They are designed usually in a dental office by our team and use an exact mold of your teeth to get the perfect fit. By speaking with one of us, we can point you in the right direction to pick out the best mouth guard for you and the level of contact you receive in sports.
Why Mouth Guards Are A Good Choice to Use
In any type of contact sport, whether it be soccer, football, baseball, etc., you are at risk of a dental injury. Besides the obvious injuries of damaging your teeth, gums, and lips, you can also damage your jaw and any other type of dental work you have had. A broken jaw may require it be wired shut for several weeks and go through many different surgeries to make sure it is healing properly, and the medical bills can be costly. Mouth guards create a defensive barrier that can put you at ease when playing sports. To find the right mouth guard for you, call Colin M. McKinney, DMD at (772) 266-2223 and make an appointment with one of our dentists. |
