Mouth Guards

One safety measure often overlooked in sports is the need to wear a mouthguard. It does more than just protect your teeth from direct damage from flying objects, collisions, and other potential injuries. If you need to pick up a mouthguard for any sport, be sure to visit Dentalville of Van Nuys in Los Angeles for great deals on custom mouthguards and more!

What do we think about mouthguards?

We feel that mouthguards are essential in sports for both males and females. The Academy for Sports Dentistry has even gone as far as to recommend that all individuals participating in sports of any form ranging from soccer to football and even wrestling to wear a mouthguard while practicing or playing competitively. A custom fitted mouthguard provides the advantages of protecting the teeth, jawbone, lips, and cheeks from getting an injury. A thicker form can aid in absorbing shocks in sports that involve more physical contact. The most comfortable ones to wear are those that are custom fitted for your mouth so they fit your jaw. A properly fitted mouthguard is required for it to be effective at protecting you from injuries.

Are they mandatory?

Certain sports do require all participants to wear mouthguards as a condition of participation to ensure maximum safety. These primarily include high school field hockey, boxing, lacrosse, football, and hockey. It’s not uncommon for them to be used in other sports as well. Traditionally mandated for males, female competitors are becoming more prevalent and usage has expanded among them to protect the upper front teeth, the most vulnerable area in the mouth, from damage.

What are the various types of mouthguards available?

All mouthguards are not created equal. There are three types that are currently used:

• Pre-made mouthguardsare available over-the-counter at most stores as an affordable option, but they aren’t recommended by us because they’re likely to have a poor fit and be uncomfortable to wear.
• Boil and bite.These mouthguards are also available over-the-counter, but require you to put it in hot water to allow it to form to your mouth. We advises against this due to the risk of burning and not getting a proper mold that is prepared by trained professionals.
• Custom mouthguardsare available from your dental professional and are the best ones to get for maximum protection, comfort, and durability. They’re designed to fit the shape of your mouth and formed by us taking an actual mold of the mouth and designing the guard from the impression. This ensures that it is an exact and comfortable fit for your mouth, especially if attempts at using over-the-counter solutions have failed to meet your safety needs.

Can I wear a mouthguard if I have braces?

Mouthguards are designed to protect your mouth whether you have braces, dentures, partials or your real teeth. They’ve been proven effective to protect your teeth and the tissue in your mouth from trauma. We advise against wearing false teeth during sports to prevent damage. Contact us to get your custom fitted athletic mouth guard that is not only safe but comfortable to wear while performing your favorite activities.