Athletic Mouthguards
Athletes wear helmets to protect their heads and pads to protect their bones and joints; they should also always wear athletic mouthguards to protect their mouths, teeth, and surrounding soft tissues.
What Is an Athletic Mouthguard?
An athletic mouthguard is an oral appliance usually made from plastic and worn over the teeth to protect the mouth during sports.
Types of Injuries and Risks Reduced by Athletic Mouthguards
Athletic mouthguards reduce the risk of a variety of injuries that can occur during sports and other athletic activities, including:
- Chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth
- Other types of dental damage
- Damage to dental appliances
- Soft tissue injuries such as bitten tongue and cheeks
- Concussion due to the shock of having teeth slam together hard
Who Can Benefit From Wearing an Athletic Mouthguard?
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that everyone participating in the following activities wear athletic mouthguards:- Contact sports
- Activities that have a risk of falling
- Activities that involve objects like sticks, balls, and rackets
- Football
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Softball
- Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Water polo
- Soccer
- Boxing
- Wrestling
- Volleyball
- Gymnastics
- Horseback riding
- Mountain biking
- Skateboarding
- Rollerblading or skating
Types of Athletic Mouthguards
When shopping for an athletic mouthguard, you can see that there are countless options available for purchase. Generally, though, all athletic mouthguards fall into one of these three categories:
Stock
Stock mouthguards are the least expensive option and also the least comfortable. They come in standard sizes and are designed to be worn straight out of the package.
Boil and Bite
Boil and bite mouthguards are slightly more expensive than the stock varieties, and they offer slightly more customization. These mouthguards are made from a soft plastic that needs to be boiled and then bitten into for a slightly more personalized fit before wearing.
Custom-Fit
Custom-fit mouthguards are more expensive than those you can purchase at a sporting goods store, but they offer better protection and far superior fit since they are designed specifically to fit your mouth, teeth, and bite.
Custom-designed mouthguards are always recommended for individuals who have dental appliances or orthodontics and for those who prefer a more comfortable experience while participating in the activities they love.
Custom-Designed Athletic Mouthguards in Miami
If you currently have orthodontic or other dental appliances in your mouth or if you are looking for a combination of comfort and superior protection from your athletic mouthguard, we strongly encourage you to talk with our dentists about the advantages of choosing a custom-designed athletic mouthguard from ONE Dental.
We can take a digital impression of your mouth and use our in-office CAD-CAM technology to manufacture a high-quality mouthguard with an absolutely perfect fit.
To learn more or schedule an appointment at ONE Dental in Miami, we welcome you to contact our office today.