Do you or your child play contact sports like soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball, skateboarding, martial arts, hockey, or lacrosse? If so, you require a custom-made sports mouthguard. Whether you have braces or not, mouthguards help protect you or your child from sports injuries and chipped or cracked teeth. A custom mouthguard from our Hoffman Estates, IL, dental office can prevent damage to teeth, dental restorations, and orthodontic appliances.
The American Dental Association estimates that sports mouthguards can prevent over 200,000 injuries. This year alone, more than 5 million teeth will be knocked out due to sports. Visit Dr. Dhara Patel in Hoffman Estates for general dentistry services for the whole family.
Custom Sports Mouthguards in Hoffman Estates, IL
Mouthguards offer multiple benefits to patients who play contact sports. Custom mouthguards:
- Minimize the risk of bruising and injury to the soft tissues in the mouth
- Reduce the chance of contact sports-related concussions
- Help minimize the risk of chipped and damaged teeth
- Reduce the risk of knocked-out teeth
- Prevent broken brackets and wires
- Allow the wearer to speak clearly
- Protect the lower jaw from trauma
- Reduce stress on the neck
If you or your child would benefit from a professional mouthguard, visit our family and general dentistry or call Best Dental Spa at 847.660.6603.
If you have metal braces, you can wear a sports mouthguard. We can customize your mouthguard so it comfortably covers your teeth and braces. Mouthguards can also help protect dental work, including fillings and crowns. Patients of all ages benefit from receiving a sports mouthguard; they aren’t just for children.
Treatment with Mouthguards
Custom-fit professional mouthguards save our patients from replacing missing teeth. They also prevent the need to treat chipped and cracked teeth with dental crowns or tooth bonding. A preventative measure like a mouthguard saves money in the long run. It can even reduce the chance of injury by absorbing impact to the face.
Over-the-counter “boil and bite” custom-fit mouthguards can easily fall out and may interfere with breathing and speaking. Often, store-bought mouthguards are not as comfortable as custom professional mouthguards.
Dr. Dhara Patel will create a mold of your teeth to fabricate a mouthguard that conforms to your mouth. A customized and more comfortable fit may lead to improved endurance on the field. Gone are the days of clenching your jaw to keep your mouthguard in place. With a custom-made sports mouthguard, you can focus on your game, not your teeth.
Caring For Custom Sports Mouthguards
You should regularly clean your mouthguard with an antibacterial solution. Use an alcohol-free mouthwash or soap and lukewarm water. Never use hot water to clean your mouthguard because it can warp the plastic. Thoroughly cleaning the mouthguard once a month will keep it fresh and fight decay-causing bacteria.
After you clean and dry your mouthguard, please place it in its protective case. Call us if you lose your mouthguard so we can make a replacement as soon as possible. You will need a replacement if your mouthguard is too damaged to wear correctly. We recommend getting a new sports mouthguard as soon as you feel a change in its fit.
Children will often need to replace their sports mouthguards more often than adults. This is because their teeth are changing rapidly. Children will need new sports mouthguards as they lose baby teeth and gain new permanent teeth.
Mouthguards vs. Night Guards
Although they sound similar, sports mouthguards and TMJ night guards are different. A sports mouthguard covers the upper teeth to protect them from hits during sports. Night guards cover the upper or lower teeth to prevent tooth damage and pain from teeth clenching and grinding.
You cannot use a sports mouthguard as a night guard. Sports mouthguards are too bulky to wear during sleep and will not withstand bruxism or teeth clenching and grinding. If you have TMJ symptoms like nightly bruxism and morning headaches, we recommend a night guard over a sports mouthguard.
Custom Mouthguards FAQs
Learn more about sports mouthguards with answers to these commonly asked patient questions:
How does a mouthguard protect your teeth?
Mouthguards cover your top teeth and protect the soft tissues in your mouth, gums, and jaw. Custom-fitted mouthguards provide a higher level of protection than general mouthguards. A custom mouthguard fits as an exact mold to your teeth, allowing for higher comfort, improved ability to speak and breathe, and a lower chance of slipping and falling out.
How long do custom mouthguards last?
The lifespan of a custom mouthguard depends on usage, care, and the materials used. On average, a well-maintained mouthguard can last one to five years. However, athletes who use them frequently and people with severe teeth grinding may need replacements more often. Regular dental checkups can help determine when a replacement is necessary.
How do I know if I need a new custom mouthguard?
You may need a new one if your custom mouthguard becomes worn, cracked, or no longer fits properly. Changes in your teeth, such as dental work or orthodontic adjustments, can also affect the fit. If your mouthguard feels loose, uncomfortable, or ineffective, it’s time to consult your dentist for a replacement. Regular checkups will help determine when it’s time for a new one.
Will a mouthguard stop me from grinding my teeth?
Mouthguards create a physical barrier between your upper and lower teeth to protect them from teeth grinding. They will not stop you from grinding your teeth. However, wearing a nightguard specifically for teeth-grinding issues will reduce the grinding sound. A custom nightguard will also provide a barrier between your teeth to prevent further damage.
How do you fit your mouthguard?
At-home custom-fit mouthguards are made by boiling water, softening the mouthguard, and molding the softened mouthguard to your mouth. Professional custom-fitted mouthguards take an impression using dental putty or a digital scan of your mouth. We use this impression of the teeth to create an exact mold of your teeth. Custom mouthguards are slightly more expensive. But they also fit much better and are more protective than the at-home alternative.
Does a custom-fit mouthguard improve my ability to breathe in it?
Custom-fit mouthguards allow users to breathe naturally and take in more oxygen. This is particularly useful in sports. With a custom mouthguard, athletes can breathe comfortably without slowing down to catch their breath. Difficulty breathing in sports causes premature fatigue, so having a custom-fit mouthguard can increase an athlete’s endurance.
Schedule a Dental Appointment
Get a custom mouthguard in our Hoffman Estates, IL office to protect your smile during contact sports. Call Best Dental Spa today for comprehensive preventative care at 847.660.6603. You can also schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel online. Dr. Patel and her team aim to provide a relaxed and friendly environment for patients of all ages.
