Mouthguards Austin TX
The Importance of Sports Mouthguards for Athletes
Sports mouthguards, also known as sportsguards, are a crucial piece of safety equipment for athletes. Despite the fact that thousands of teeth are lost or injured every year in sports, mouthguards are often overlooked or underused. As strong advocates of preventive dental care, we provide custom sportsguards for athletes of all ages.
A mouthguard is a molded plastic arch that fits over the top teeth, offering several protective benefits. It shields the upper teeth from damage caused by impacts or blows to the face. It also prevents the top and bottom teeth from directly impacting each other during collisions. Additionally, a sports mouthguard protects the soft tissues of the mouth, including the cheeks, from being injured by the teeth.
Types of Sports Mouthguards: What You Need to Know
There are three types of sportsguards: ready-made, boil-and-bite, and custom. We want all our patients to understand the differences between these options, so they can make an informed decision about the best protection for their needs.
Ready-Made Sportguards
Ready-made sportsguards, also known as over-the-counter or stock mouthguards, are commonly available at drugstores or pharmacies. Typically made from plastic or hard rubber, these mouthguards have a U-shaped design with a trough for the teeth and a lip that extends above the gum line for added protection. While they come in a few basic sizes, they offer the least customization in fit. Although they are the most affordable option, they tend to be the least comfortable compared to other types of sportsguards.
Boil-&-Bite Sportsguards
Boil-and-bite sports mouthguards are also available at drugstores or pharmacies. Unlike ready-made guards, these need to be heated in boiling water until they become soft and pliable. Once cooled enough to handle, the athlete bites into the guard, allowing it to mold around their teeth. While this provides a better fit than ready-made sportsguards, it still doesn’t offer the precision of a custom-made guard. The plastic used in boil-and-bite guards is typically less durable than custom options, as it must remain soft enough to mold to the teeth. As a result, these guards may not last as long and can break apart if the athlete tends to chew on it.
Custom Sportsguards
Custom sports mouthguards are designed and created by a dentist to fit an individual’s mouth perfectly. The process begins with taking a mold of the patient’s teeth by having them bite down briefly into a tray of paste. From this mold, a stone model of the teeth is made, and the mouthguard is formed over it. The guard is crafted from durable plastic, either poured into a mold or vacuum-formed. Because they are made based on a model of the patient’s teeth, custom sportsguards provide a more secure and comfortable fit. These guards stay in place better and allow athletes to speak and breathe normally. While the custom production process makes them the most expensive option, we believe they offer the best protection, as athletes are more likely to wear a mouthguard that fits well and feels comfortable.
Incorporating custom mouthguards is a key aspect of preventive dental care, helping to safeguard teeth from injuries during physical activities. Many patients, or their parents, assume that mouthguards are only necessary for contact sports like hockey or football, where physical impacts are common. However, we recommend mouthguards for a wide range of sports, including solo or non-contact activities such as volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, mountain biking, and rollerblading.
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