Dental injuries related to sports are extremely common. Most commonly the result is a fractured or broken upper front tooth and a split lip. Sometimes the injury results in nothing more than a tooth colored (composite) repair, other times the tooth or teeth damaged will require root canals and crowns or veneers. In the most serious of injuries the teeth can not be saved and have to be replaced with dental bridges or implants. Whether simple or complex the end result is a lifetime of dentistry to deal with an accident that could have been prevented.

Sports mouthguards are a simple and inexpensive way to prevent damage to the teeth while engaged in athletic activities. The guards are normally made of a plastic material that is placed over the upper teeth. Most athletes purchase these guards in a sporting goods store. The guard is then placed in hot water at home with the idea that it will conform to the shape of the teeth. As both a mom of three, all of whom played high school sports, and a dentist it is a challenge to sit on the sidelines and watch as the majority of the players have their guard hanging from the corner of their mouths, not in at all or hanging from their helmet all because they are bulky, uncomfortable and do not stay in place over the teeth.

A custom athletic mouthguard is made to fit precisely over your teeth. Once placed over the teeth is stays without the need to bite against it with the lower teeth. This allows the player to speak normally with their teammates without removing the guard, causes less joint and muscle fatigue and makes keeping it in place where it can do it’s job of protecting the teeth much more dependable. The custom guards are also much smaller, less bulky and much more comfortable to wear.

An impression of your teeth will be taken and the custom athletic mouthguard will be fabricated on a model of your teeth. the material is a soft plastic, available in many colors so you can show your school pride. If your sport has specific requirements for the color and thickness of the guard it can be made to follow those guidelines and can have a place to connect it to the face mask of a helmet. The most important requirement of an athletic mouthguard is that the player wear it and protect themselves from a lifetime of dental issues.