Sports Mouthguards
Chicago, IL
 For those that engage in risky or contact sports, our team at Medhat Dental Excellence does advise they make use of sports mouthguards. This is to protect their teeth, and soft tissue in the mouth cavity from serious injury should the area suffer an impact. This can come from colliding with other players, hitting the ground, or coming in hard contact with sports equipment. Mouthguards are simple devices that do a good job of covering the upper teeth, preventing users from suffering tooth loss, breaks, chipping, cut lips, and other harm.
Types of Mouthguards
There are three basic types of sports mouthguards to consider. Stock mouthguards are the cheapest and most widely available option. They can be found in many sporting goods stores, department stores, and pharmacies. They are however the least recommended options as they do not conform to the varied bites of different users. They have a set design that is often ill-fitting and bulky. Pain and difficulty breathing and speaking are common side effects of their use.
Boil and bite mouthguards are another widely available option. They can be found in many sporting goods stores and pharmacies. They provide a more customized fit. As the name suggests, the user needs only dip the required part in hot water to soften the material and bite into it. Using fingers and tongue the material is shaped around the teeth for a better fit than with stock mouthguards.
The best option is a custom-fitted mouthguard. These are prepared at our office and are well customized for a perfect fit. Our dentist takes an impression of your teeth to create a mold that the mouthguard is built upon. This specialized service does mean that this is the most expensive option, but the results are not only the most comfortable but also long-lasting.
Benefits of Mouthguard Use
Even with the most cautious player, injuries can still happen, and mouthguards are the best way to preserve your dentition and reduce the risk of extensive damage to soft tissue. Broken or chipped teeth can be quite disfiguring and cause serious confidence issues for a child. Tooth loss can have much the same impact. It can then require expensive dental treatments to restore a proper smile, such as dental implants. Even with procedures as simple as bonding, the results can be good but will likely require touch-ups with time.
Mouthguards are also good for distributing the force of impact. That can mean less serious injury if the head or face suffers a blow. Teeth edges are not usually very sharp, but when there is a significant force from the other side, they can easily slice through soft tissue like cheeks, lips, and tongue. A guard helps limit this risk by obstructing the edge of the upper teeth from harming vulnerable soft tissues.
Sports mouthguards are also very comfortable to wear when customized and can be easily habit-forming when insisted upon from an early age. Even children or adults that utilize dental appliances like braces can be assisted with custom-fit mouthguards that take into account their gear.
To more safely enjoy you and your child’s sporting endeavors, visit our clinic to get custom fit mouthguards. Get in touch with us, Medhat Dental Excellence at (773) 774-4611 to make an appointment with one of our team members.
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