If you or your child play contact sports, you need a sports mouthguard to protect your teeth and gums from damage. Dr. Shannon French provides patients with custom sports mouthguards as a general dental solution for patients in Bladenboro, NC. Mouthguards are general dental treatments in that they can help prevent future dental problems.
Chips, cracks, fractures, and even knocked-out teeth require cosmetic and restorative treatments that can get costly. Mouthguards are a great way to stop further dental problems that are so common in contact sports like soccer, basketball, football, and lacrosse.
What Are the Benefits of Mouthguards?
Our professional sports mouthguards:
- Provide a custom fit
- Reduce neck stress
- Allow players to speak clearly
- Protect the lower jaw from trauma
- Minimize the risk of damaged teeth
- Help prevent loose or knocked-out teeth
Call our office if a new sports season is coming up and you need a new custom mouthguard. Sports mouthguards typically need to be replaced every season, particularly if your child is losing their baby teeth. We always want to ensure that mouthguards conform to the teeth comfortably so they don’t fall out during a game.
Custom Mouthguard FAQs
Can I wear my sports mouthguard for teeth grinding?
Nightguards are commonly used to help patients that grind their teeth while they sleep. But if you try to use your sports guard for this purpose, you’ll damage both the guard and your teeth. Sports guards are made of a lighter, bulkier material that’s designed to absorb the shock of an impact.
Nightguards use a harder, thinner material that’s designed to help the impacts of grinding your teeth. Neither of these things should be used for purposes other than what they’re intended to be for.
How long do custom mouthguards last?
Typically, we recommend that mouthguards be replaced before every sports season, or once a year. If the mouthguard is for a child or teen, their mouths are constantly changing and mouthguards will need to change with them to ensure they’re functioning as they should. If you wear them extremely rarely, mouthguards can sometimes last up to 3-5 years.
Will my mouthguard shift my teeth?
No. Some people think that because the mouthguard is snug against the teeth, it will cause them to shift. However, it won’t be tight enough to do so. We make sure that the mouthguard is fitted to your teeth properly. It should be snug enough to stay in place while you’re talking or playing, but not tight enough to cause you discomfort.
How often should I clean my mouthguard?
Rinse out your mouthguard with cold or warm (never hot) water after each use. It can be cleaned with mild soap and water at least once a week, but we recommend that after every use as well. It’s important to keep the mouthguard clean and dry so that bacteria don’t develop on it. Store it in a ventilated case so that it can dry out between uses.
How should my mouthguard fit?
Your mouthguard should fit snugly in your mouth so that you can talk and function with it. It shouldn’t go too far back, as that can trigger your gag reflex. You should feel comfortable in the guard and not have to worry about it when you’re playing your sport.
Are mouthguards dangerous?
There are instances pushed on the internet that have made people question the safety of mouthguards. However, as long as you keep your mouthguard clean, there’s no danger. When your mouthguard isn’t cleaned properly, it gets bacteria buildup. These bacteria can cause illness or even death in severe instances.
Is a custom mouthguard worth it?
Absolutely. Custom mouthguards have many benefits over the over-the-counter variety. They fit better, so you don’t have to worry about them falling out or not protecting your teeth the way they should. You also don’t have to clench to keep the mouthguard in your mouth. Clenching can lead to problems with the jaw joint, like TMJ disorders.
Without a mouthguard at all, you’re more likely to damage a tooth or get one completely knocked out. You can avoid these issues with a custom mouthguard.
Do you need a mouthguard for sports that aren’t football or boxing?
Yes, we recommend having a mouthguard for any contact sport. When you have your consultation, we’ll talk to you about the sport(s) you play to make sure that the mouthguard we make for you is up to the task of protecting you during these sports.
Receive a Sports Mouthguard at Bladenboro Family Dentistry
To create a mouthguard, we will take dental impressions of the teeth. These impressions are used as a template for the mouthguard. They are sent to a dental lab for fabrication. When the mouthguard is complete, we will ensure that it fits comfortably. Mouthguards are easy to care for.
They should be cleaned regularly with soap and water. Remember to not use hot water as this can warp the plastic. Then, the mouthguard can be dried in its case. Cleaning sports mouthguards keeps them smelling fresh and prevents bacteria growth.
Contact our dental office for a custom sports mouthguard today by calling 910-469-4592. You may also request a dental consultation with our experienced team on our website. Bladenboro Family Dentistry serves patients from Clarkton, Bladenboro, and Fayetteville, North Carolina.
We look forward to seeing you at your next dental appointment. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns, or require accommodations.