Do you or your child play contact sports? You need a sports mouthguard. Contact sports are any sport where there is contact between players, like lacrosse, soccer, basketball, and football. Players need to protect their teeth and braces from hits to the face that can lead to broken or lost teeth.
At Perfect Smiles, we create custom sports mouthguards as a general dentistry treatment for patients in Doylestown, PA, and the surrounding areas. When compared to store-bought mouthguards, our professionally made sports mouthguards offer a custom fit. Mouthguards that do not fit properly can easily fall out. Patients may feel like they need to clench their teeth to keep these mouthguards in place. Teeth clenching can put pressure on the jaw, which can lead to jaw pain and damage. Our custom-made sports mouthguards stay in the mouth. With a properly fitting mouthguard, patients can speak, drink, and play their game without distractions.
Sports Mouthguards: Treatment and Care
We take digital x-rays of the teeth in order to fabricate custom-made sports mouthguards. The x-rays create detailed images that we send to a dental lab, where the mouthguards are made out of flexible thick plastic. Once your personal mouthguard is complete, we will make sure that it fits you perfectly. To keep your sports mouthguard clean, soak it in a denture or mouthguard cleaner. You may also clean your mouthguard with soap and water. However, do not use hot water as this can warp the mouthguard. When it is not in use, keep your mouthguard in its case.
Can Mouthguards Treat TMJ Disorders?
Sports mouthguards and nightguards may seem similar, but they cannot be used interchangeably. Just as sports mouthguards cannot treat TMJ symptoms, nightguards can not be worn during sports. Sports mouthguards are made of a thicker plastic that is not meant to stop patients from clenching and grinding their teeth. Nightguards are typically made of hard acrylic that protects the teeth from wear. However, nightguards cannot protect teeth from injuries to the face or mouth.
Call Our Dental Office Today
Do you need a new mouthguard for the upcoming sports season? Request a dental consultation on our website. You may also contact Perfect Smiles for treatment at 215-529-8048.