Do you or someone you love have a favorite sport to play? It doesn’t matter whether it’s a high contact sport like football or something less intense like volleyball; there’s always going to be a risk of injuring your jaw and damaging your teeth. Thus, you need to make sure your smile has the best protection available. You can get a one-size-fits-all mouthguard from a store, of course, but there’s a good chance that that won’t be enough. Here are 3 reasons to ask your dentist in Hamden for a custom-made mouthguard.
1. Your Mouth is Unique
The point of a mouthguard is to protect the teeth and jaws from any physical blows. However, everyone’s mouth is shaped differently, which means the same mouthguard won’t offer the same protection for everyone. Sometimes, a poorly fitted mouthguard might even make the damage worse!
Your mouthguard needs to fully cover and protect all of your teeth, and it needs to be thick enough to cushion your jaws. It also needs to leave enough room between the top and bottom teeth so that they’re not forced together if you get hit with an upward motion. Finally, the mouthguard needs to stay in place; if it moves around too much, then it probably won’t offer good protection should the worst happen.
2. A Mouthguard Protects Against Many Injuries
A mouthguard makes it less likely that your teeth will be broken or knocked out, but that’s not the only benefit; other functions include:
- Preventing cuts and bruises that might occur during impact
- Protecting the lower jaw so that the bone isn’t fractured or otherwise damaged
- Reduce injury to the brain (if the jaws violently jar together, it could cause a concussion)
- Helps prevent neck injuries
As you can see, many sports-related injuries can cause lasting damage that could seriously disrupt the rest of your life. A custom-made mouthguard will provide the best protection available.
3. A Custom-Made Mouthguard is More Comfortable
Not only does an over-the-counter mouthguard not work as well as a custom-made appliance, but it’ll also feel less comfortable. It might be too loose or too tight, or it might even be too bulky and won’t allow your teeth to rest in a comfortable position. Custom-made mouthguards, on the other hand, are designed using a mold of your teeth, ensuring a precise fit that’ll let you breathe and speak with ease. This enhanced comfort is especially important when you consider all the running around you’ll do while wearing the mouthguard!
Whether it’s for you or your child, you should always talk to your dentist before getting a mouthguard; in addition to providing you with an appliance, they can also give you advice on taking care of it. That way, you can always head onto the field with a confident, well-defended grin.
About the Practice
At D’andrea & Pantera DMD, our dentists make it their highest priority to bring Hamden patients comfortable, high quality dental care. We make it a point to stop oral health problems before they start, which is why they offer protective mouthguards for athletes of all ages. To schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (203) 288-0951.
