Do you play a sport? Dr. Damien Garcia and Dr. Lisa Gortari can provide you with custom sports mouth guards to protect your teeth, gums, and smile from damage! Give us a call today at 956-661-1000 to learn more about sports mouth guards in McAllen, Texas, and to set up your appointment with our dentists at Oasis Family Dental.
Mouth guards are coverings worn over the teeth, and often used to protect teeth from injury from teeth grinding and during sports.
Custom-fitted mouth protectors are individually designed and made in a dental office or a professional laboratory based on your dentist’s instructions. First, your dentist will make an impression of your teeth and a mouth guard is then molded over the model using a special material. Due to the use of this material, and because of the extra time and work involved, this custom-made mouth guard is more expensive than the other types. But, it provides the most comfort and protection.
Generally, mouth guards cover your upper teeth only, but in some instances (such as if you wear braces or another fixed dental appliance on your lower jaw), your dentist will make a mouth guard for the lower teeth as well. Your dentist can suggest the best mouth guard for you. An effective mouth guard should be comfortable, resist tears, be durable and easy to clean, and should not restrict your breathing or speech.
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If you grind your teeth at night, a special mouth guard-type of dental appliance — called a nocturnal bite plate or bite splint — may be created to prevent tooth damage.
Who Needs a Mouth Guard?
Mouth guards should be used by anyone — both children and adults — who plays contact sports, such as football, boxing, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey. However, even those participating in noncontact sports (for example, gymnastics) or any recreational activity that might pose a risk of injury to the mouth. such as skateboarding or mountain biking, would benefit from wearing a protective mouth guard.
Adults and children who grind their teeth at night should have a nocturnal bite plate or bite splint made to prevent tooth damage.
Why Use a Mouth Guard When Playing Sports?
Because accidents can happen during any physical activity, the advantage of using a mouth guard during sports is that it can help limit the risk of mouth-related injuries to your lips, tongue, and soft tissues of your mouth. Mouth guards also help you avoid chipped or broken teeth, nerve damage to a tooth, or even tooth loss.
Can I Wear a Mouth Guard if I Wear Braces?
Yes. Since an injury to the face could damage braces or other fixed appliances, a properly fitted mouth guard may be particularly important for people who wear braces or have fixed bridge work. Your dentist or orthodontist can determine the mouth guard that will provide the best protection for your unique dental work. An important reminder: do not wear any orthodontic retainers or other removable appliance during any contact sports, or during any recreational activities that put your mouth at risk for injury.
Please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions or to schedule your appointment with our dentists.