Sports Mouthguards
Sportsguards, alternatively known as sports mouthguards, stand as an indispensable component of sports safety gear. Regrettably, despite the annual toll of lost or injured teeth among athletes, sportsguards often endure neglect or underutilization.
We firmly advocate for preventive dental care, exemplified by our tailored creation of sportsguards for athletes across all age brackets. Many individuals or their guardians hold the misconception that mouthguards are solely relevant to contact sports like hockey and football, where collisions are frequent. Yet, we endorse sportsguards for a myriad of sports, including those deemed "solo" or non-contact activities. For instance, we strongly recommend sportsguards for volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, mountain biking, and rollerblading.
What Is A Sports Mouthguard?
A mouthguard typically comprises molded plastic fashioned into an arch shape that conforms to the upper teeth. When used in sports, it serves several protective functions. Primarily, it shields the upper teeth against impacts or blows to the face, thereby averting damage. Additionally, it prevents direct contact between the top and bottom teeth during collisions or blows. Moreover, it safeguards the delicate tissues of the mouth, particularly the cheeks, from collisions with the teeth.
This variant of mouthguard is sometimes denoted as "over-the-counter" or "stock" due to its availability in numerous drugstores or pharmacies. Predominantly crafted from plastic or rigid rubber, these ready-made guards typically feature a U-shaped design with a trough for accommodating the teeth and a lip extending above the gum line to shield the gums. Although these sportsguards are available in a limited range of basic sizes, they offer minimal customization in fit. While they are the most cost-effective option, they often compromise on comfort.
Ready-Made Sportguards
These sportsguards are commonly known as over-the-counter or stock guards because they can be found in numerous drugstores or pharmacies. Typically constructed from plastic or rigid rubber, they are shaped in a U form with a trough for accommodating the teeth and a lip that extends above the gum line to safeguard the gums. Despite being available in only a few basic sizes, they offer minimal customization in fit. While they are the most budget-friendly option, they tend to be the least comfortable type of sportsguards.
Boil-&-Bite Sportsguards
This variety of sportsguard is also obtainable at drugstores or pharmacies. Unlike ready-made options, this guard requires heating (typically in boiling water) until it reaches a soft and malleable state. While still pliable but sufficiently cooled to handle, the athlete molds the guard around their teeth by biting into it. Although this method yields a somewhat improved fit compared to ready-made sportsguards, boil-and-bite guards do not qualify as custom-made. The plastic they are crafted from tends to be less resilient than custom guards since it must be soft enough to mold. Consequently, they have a shorter lifespan and may deteriorate if the athlete habitually chews on the mouthguard.
Custom Sportsguards
This category of sportsguard is prescribed and tailored by a dentist to precisely fit a patient's mouth. The procedure commences with taking an impression of the patient's teeth, achieved by briefly biting down into a tray of dental paste. Using this mold, a stone model of the teeth is generated, serving as the foundation for crafting the sportsguard. Fabricated from durable plastic, the guard is either poured into a mold or formed through vacuum molding. Custom sportsguards, being constructed from a replica of the patient's mouth, provide a snug and comfortable fit. They are less prone to displacement, allowing the athlete to speak and breathe normally. However, the custom production process renders this type of sportsguard the most expensive. Despite the cost, we advocate for custom sportsguards as they offer superior comfort and functionality, encouraging consistent wear by athletes when needed.