Mouth Guards

What are Mouth Guards For?

Custom-fit mouth guards are prescribed and created by a dental professional from thermoplastic material and are based on a detailed mold taken of your mouth and teeth. They can be made for either sports or for nighttime teeth grinding and are created differently depending on the intended use. The American Dental Association predicts that roughly 2 million teeth are lost during athletic competition per year, making mouthguards a necessity for contact sports. They’re highly personalized, as your dentist can adjust the thickness of the mouth guard, and they’re designed to fit perfectly in your mouth with no adjustments needed.

How is a Mouth Guard Made?

First, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth. This is generally done using a dental putty that forms to all the crevices of each tooth and creates an exact mold of your smile. The mold is then sent to the lab, where the actual mouth guard is created. The structure is made by layering superheated plastic to precise specifications and is then cooled to create an extremely durable piece of dental wear.

Benefits of Mouth Guards

There are several benefits for mouth guards for both sports-related and nighttime-related uses:

• Reduces the risk of concussion from lower jaw impacts while play sports
• Sports mouth guards protect teeth from being knocked out or fractured
• Provides a comfortable fit allowing for natural breathing and speaking
• Prevents jaw fractures by acting as a cushion between upper and lower jaw
• Meets all High School and Collegiate sports regulations

Because custom mouth guards are so precisely made, they are able to provide you with optimal safety and comfort, as opposed to the bulky, confining “boil and bite” guards of old. The level of protection afforded by custom-fitted mouth guards is unrivaled by any other mouth guard, and their durability is enhanced by the snug shape, which hugs each tooth closely, eliminating unwanted movement and any need for adjustment.

For more information on customized mouth guards, please call Thorn Run Dental Care at 412-269-9466 today.