April is National Facial Protection Month!

Nothing can ruin a smile faster than damaging a tooth while playing a sport. This is why we recommend always wearing a mouthguard whenever playing any sport, including baseball, soccer, basketball, and football. Mouthguards will protect not only your teeth, but also the soft tissues around them. Mouthguards come in a variety of forms including, stock, custom made, or boil and bite. Stock mouthguards are flat and fit patients universally. Custom made mouthguards are custom made to the shape of your teeth by your dentist. Lastly, boil and bite mouthguards are softened in hot water and then bitten into by the patient to make a more custom fitted mouthguard.  Mouthguards are also made with and without straps to be used with and without helmets depending on the sport.

When caring for mouthguards, it is important to keep them clean and in a case. This will ensure that they are not lost and will not be found by pets that would like to chew on them.  Cleaning them can be done with a toothbrush and mild soap.

When in braces, mouthguards are even more important as a blow to the face could cause further damage to the tissues due to the presence of brackets and wires. It is recommended to use a stock mouthguard.  During orthodontic treatment the position of your teeth will constantly change. Using a boil and bite or a custom made mouthguard may result in an ill fitting mouthguard and may actually damage the braces on your teeth. Make sure to ask us at your next appointment for a mouthguard if you play a sport so we can make sure to preserve your smile!