Custom Sports Mouthguards

Custom Mouth GuardsThe purpose of a mouth guard is to protect an athlete’s jaw and teeth from injury during an impact to the mouth. Children and young adults have a 10% risk of mouth injury when playing field sports, including chipped or broken teeth and even broken jawbones.

Although you can buy generic versions of these dental devices off the shelf, San Jose family dentist Dr. Carol Jin, DDS, can fit your child with a custom-crafted dental device that will provide protection and be more comfortable to boot.

Six Benefits Of Custom Mouth Guards For Sports

  1. Custom guards are more comfortable, meaning your athlete will be more likely to wear them.
  2. Unlike off-the-shelf products, custom mouth guards are crafted for an exact fit.
  3. They last longer than premade ones too, which means they may be more cost-effective in the long run.
  4. A custom fit means they provide a higher level of protection right where you need them to.
  5. Custom sports mouth guards can be designed to fit around braces to protect wires, brackets, teeth, and gums.
  6. It is easier to talk through and breathe with a custom mouth protector compared to a stock one.

How Are Custom Mouth Guards Made?

Custom mouth protectors are made through a simple process. Your family dentist takes an impression of your child’s teeth. Then a lab tech will create the guard using the impression as a mold. Depending on the nature of the sport and the amount of protection desired, the thickness and external shape is varied.

Sports Guards Aren’t Just For Football 

In addition to common contact sports like football and wrestling, here is a shortlist of other sports whose youthful players could benefit from extra facial protection. When in doubt, ask your child’s dentist about custom mouth guards.

  • Football
  • Wrestling
  • Rugby
  • Softball & Baseball
  • Soccer
  • Ice Hockey
  • Martial Arts
  • Lacrosse
  • Field Hockey
  • Skateboarding
  • Mountain Biking

Common Mouth-Related Sports Injuries

Mouth guards create an artificial barrier between a child’s teeth and the soft tissue inside the mouth. During an impact, this dental device helps prevent trauma by absorbing and helping to dissipate the force, protecting the cheek, tongue, and lips.

If you’re still on the fence, consider the types of injuries that your child could receive during a facial impact.

  • Broken, Chipped, Or Knocked-Out Teeth
  • Dental Root Damage
  • Jawbone Fractures
  • Soft Tissue Lacerations
  • Orthodontic Appliance Damage

Do Kids With Braces Need Mouth Guards?

There is a common misconception that kids with braces shouldn’t wear mouth guards. In fact, the risk of oral injury from a fall or impact is even greater for a child wearing braces, as the wires can cut the cheeks and cause a higher level of dental trauma.

Many orthodontists recommend that young sports enthusiasts with braces wear an athletic mouth guard if there is any risk of contact injury in the face or mouth area.

Protecting Smiles In San Jose, CA

Dr. Carol Jin, DDS, is a San Jose area family dentist with years of experience protecting and improving the smiles of young athletes and those of their parents and other family members. Call today to find out more and to schedule a mouth guard fitting appointment.

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