Do you or a member of your family play sports? If so, we encourage the use of a mouth guard to protect your teeth, gums, and jaw from injury or tooth loss. Mouth guards are especially essential if you play a contact sport such as football, boxing, or lacrosse, but even non-contact activities like gymnastics can warrant the need for a mouth guard. If you are unfamiliar with sports mouth guards, we would be delighted to provide the basic information on how they can benefit your smile.
Mouth Guard Types
Custom-made mouthguards are typically the most effective for you because they are contoured to your smile by your dentist to provide optimal protection and comfort. Pre-formed and ready to wear stock mouth guards can be effective but may not fit as well as a mouth guard made just for you. Another option is boil and bite mouth guards, which are soaked in hot water to be made pliable and then shaped around your teeth.
Wearing Mouth Guards With Braces
After receiving braces, a mouth guard is especially important because trauma to the mouth can harm orthodontic appliances if you don’t wear a protective mouth guard while playing sports. We encourage you to speak to your dentist or orthodontist about receiving a custom-fitted mouth guard during orthodontic treatment.
Mouth Guard Care
Before and after wearing your mouth guard, be sure to rinse it with mouthwash or cold water. You can also use a toothbrush and mild soap to clean. Avoid hot temperatures or else the mouth guard may distort. Check your mouth guard regularly for any holes or tears, and notify our dentist at Dr. Kim Family Dentistry if it becomes loose or uncomfortable so that we can replace it. When you visit us for checkups, bring your mouth guard and we can examine it.
We encourage you to contact our office at 559-585-1519 today to learn more about the need for sports mouth guards in Hanford, California, and to schedule a visit with Dr. David Kim.
