Sports Guard Bend, OR
Collisions can happen in basketball, soccer, and other non contact sports. The last thing that any athlete wants in addition to some bumps and bruises is a chipped, cracked, or loose tooth. Mass produced mouth guards are available in stores everywhere, but they do not provide the customization and extra protection of a professionally fitted mouthguard from a dental professional. Here at Cascadia Family Dental we can provide you with a custom-made mouthguard.
The Importance of Custom Fitted Mouthguards
Sports are an important part of everyone’s lives. They provide us with physical activity, social connections, healthy competition, and personal growth. However, the risk of injury is always present, especially in contact sports such as football or wrestling. One of the most critical pieces of protective equipment is a custom fitted mouthguard. A high quality custom mouthguard protects the teeth, jaw, and the overall oral health of our athletes.
The Dangers of Oral Injury in Sports
With sports like basketball, hockey, soccer, and football, the potential for oral trauma is always there. Elbows, stray balls, and collisions may lead to chipped, cracked, or lost teeth. The consequences extend beyond the immediate pain and cosmetic damage. Tooth loss and extensive dental work can be debilitating for an athlete’s performance, as well as their well being. Mouthguards are designed to absorb the impact of these blows. They cushion the teeth, and help to prevent serious injury. However, not all mouthguards provide the same level of protection. Off the shelf mouthguards are a convenient, low cost option, and they do offer some protection, but they do not match the superior fit and function of a customized, professionally fitted mouthguard.
The Benefits of Custom Mouthguards
A custom mouthguard, crafted to each patient’s unique oral structure, offers several key advantages over the generic alternatives.
Precision Fit
A custom mouthguard is meticulously molded to the unique contours of the individual patient’s teeth and jaw. This ensures a secure, comfortable, and effective fit. This custom fit improves the mouthguard’s ability to stay in place, and provides optimal breathing and protection.
Superior Comfort
Mass produced mouthguards are often bulky and do not fit well. This can lead to discomfort and difficulty breathing, which creates the temptation for an athlete to remove the mouthguard entirely. A custom mouthguard, on the other hand, is designed to be forgotten about. It allows unrestricted breathing and speech during play.
Enhanced Protection
The materials and layered construction of a custom mouthguard provide superior shock absorption and impact resistance compared to generic options. This enhanced protective capability may be the difference between a minor incident and a serious, life altering injury.
Investing in Oral Health and Performance
Custom mouthguards carry a higher cost than the generic options, but our patients find that the investment is worth the level of protection and peace of mind that these mouthguards provide. When our patients work with our team to create a mouthguard tailored to their unique needs, these athletes safeguard their oral health and optimize their performance. In competitive sports, there is no substitute for the protection and confidence that a custom mouthguard offers. For those who are serious about their sport and their wellbeing, a professionally fitted mouthguard should be an essential part of their preseason preparation.