Sports Mouthguards
What Is A Sports Mouthguard?
A sports mouth guard is a protective oral appliance that is worn over the teeth and gums to help prevent injuries to the mouth and potentially even concussions during sports or physical activities. It is typically made of a soft and flexible material that fits comfortably over the teeth, providing a cushioning effect to absorb and distribute the impact of blows or collisions to the face.
Keep your smile safe with a custom-fitted sports mouthguard
Do dentists make mouthguards?
Our experienced dental technicians at our lab in Werribee do create custom sports mouthguards just for you! A custom-made mouthguard provides a higher level of protection as the sole purpose of this appliance is to effectively protect your teeth by absorbing the impact of an injury.
Do you or your child play sports? Whether it’s contact or non-contact sport, it could leave you at high risk of dental injuries unless you take the right precautions.
Sports mouthguards are essential for individuals participating in contact sports, such as football, hockey, rugby, basketball, boxing, and martial arts, as well as non-contact sports like soccer, baseball, skateboarding, and biking. They are designed to minimise the risk of dental injuries, such as broken or chipped teeth, knocked-out teeth, cut lips, and damage to the jaw. We’ll go into more detail on how our sports mouthguards can help save your smile in the sections to come.
Custom-Made Mouthguards Vs Store-Bought Mouthguards
Our custom-fitted sports mouthguards at Wyndham Dental are designed to fit the specific size and contours of your teeth, making it a more effective solution than other store-bought products. Store-bought alternatives often have a poor fit, which offers less protection. Over-the-counter mouthguards can also cause difficulty breathing or get dislodged during play and get wedged in the back of the throat on impact, which can be life-threatening.
You may have also heard of “boil and bite” mouthguards, which are named after the process used to get them to fit properly in the mouth. Since store-bought mouthguards are loose-fitting, they are placed in warm water and then moulded to the shape of the teeth. This DIY process can make some parts of the mouthguard thinner than the rest, which may interfere with how well the mouthguard protects the teeth.
Don’t settle for less when it comes to protecting your smile. Invest in a custom-made mouthguard from Wyndham Dental to ensure that your teeth are safe while you play sports.
How is a mouthguard created?
Once you come in for your dental examination, our dentist will first assess your oral health to check if you need any dental work that may affect the fit of your mouthguard. Please note that we can also create mouthguards to be fitted over braces or partial dentures.
We will then take impressions of your teeth in order to make a custom-designed, fitted guard. The fabrication process will take approximately 2 weeks, during which we’ll make sure your mouthguard is made to the highest standards. And at your second appointment, we’ll make sure that the appliance is fitted exactly to your smile.
Are mouthguards worth it?
There are some clear advantages as to why you should invest in custom sports mouthguards, including:
- They can provide the most effective protection for your teeth and jaws in case of impact
- They can absorb the shock impact, stabilising the head and neck and limiting movement caused by direct hits to the jaw
- They offer a more comfortable fit, which also reduces the likelihood of removal during play
- They don’t restrict your breathing, and it is easier to talk when wearing them.
How do you clean a mouthguard?
Looking after and cleaning your mouthguard is fairly simple. All you need to do is keep it out of the sun, wash it in cold water after each use and store it in a firm container to help keep its shape. You’ll also need to get our experienced dentist to check how well it fits your mouth when you come in for your regular checkups every 6 months! Depending on your individual needs, you may need to replace your mouthguard every 12 months, particularly if you are a child or teenager with growing jaws.
At Wyndham Dental, we fabricate high-quality sports mouthguards that can offer effective protection from impact. Simply call our friendly team to get started on protecting your smile!