Athletic Mouth Guards
Protect Your Smile from Sporting Injuries with a Custom Athletic Mouth Guard
Among sports-related accidents, dental injuries are the most common. According to the American Dental Association, up to 20 percent of all sports injuries affect the teeth, jaw, or face. Participating in athletic events – especially contact sports – without a mouth guard significantly increases your risk for dental trauma. At Walnut Pond Dental in Annandale, NJ, Drs. Victoria Uryniak and Carson Ferris-Zeolla fabricate a custom athletic mouth guard so you can protect your smile while you play. If someone in your family participates in contact sports, a custom mouth guard can save you a substantial amount of worry and money in the future.
Why Do I Need a Custom Guard?
While “boil-and bite” mouth guards are readily available at pharmacies and local sporting goods stores, they can be cumbersome and ineffective. For complete protection, a mouth guard must fit well, allowing normal breathing while wearing it. At Walnut Pond, we craft custom mouth guards for athletes of all ages.
Athletic Guards and Orthodontic Treatment
For patients who currently wear braces, a custom mouth guard is crucial for preventing serious injury. If you have completed orthodontic treatment, and currently wear a retainer, a mouth guard can help you protect your investment.
Prevent Traumatic Injuries
The majority of sports-related dental trauma can be avoided with the use of a mouth guard. A custom athletic oral appliance can prevent:
- Fractured teeth
- Knocked-out teeth
- Displacement (tooth is pushed forward or back)
- Soft tissue injuries
- TMJ (temporomandibular joint) injury
- Direct blunt force trauma
- Head concussions
Individualized Care for Every Patient
Because each patient is unique, our doctors will take time to establish the critical areas that need protection and determine the optimal thickness for your new mouth guard. Typically, a custom guard will only need to cover the upper teeth. However, each patient will receive a fully customized appliance to meet their individual needs.
Maintaining Your Custom Mouth Guard
Because mouth guards are crafted from thermoplastic materials, they can warp in extreme heat. Therefore, it is important to avoid leaving your custom guard in a hot car or accidentally putting it in the clothes dryer. When you are not wearing it, place it in its protective case until you need it again.
To keep your mouth guard in excellent condition it should be cleaned regularly. This can be achieved by brushing it with a soft toothbrush. Do not apply toothpaste, as it can be too abrasive. Be sure to rinse off your mouth guard thoroughly after every use, and let it dry completely before placing it back in its protective case.
Bring your mouth guard along with you whenever you attend a routine dental visit. We can assess the guard and make sure it is still effective. If your guard becomes damaged or no longer fits comfortably, it is important to replace it right away.
Face Protection Awareness
Several national organizations join forces every year to raise awareness about the dangers of playing sports without an athletic mouth guard. These organizations include the:
- American Dental Association
- American Association of Orthodontics
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Academy for Sports Dentistry
After tracking incidents of sports-related injuries, the above organizations compiled a list of sports with the highest occurrence of dental trauma. These include:
- Football
- Hockey
- Rugby
- Boxing
- Lacrosse
- Volleyball
- Baseball
- Wrestling
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Skateboarding
- Softball
- Bicycling
- Martial arts
- Racquetball
- Weightlifting
- Gymnastics
- Skiing
- Track and Field
If you participate in any of the sports listed above, we recommend that you come in for a consultation with one of our doctors. A simple appliance can protect your smile and save you thousands of dollars.
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