From acrobatics to running to wrestling, every athletic activity can entail an impact to your jaws and mouth that may lead to severe dental damage. The rise of sports dentistry, the development of custom mouthguards, and increased awareness of the protective efficacy of mouthguards have helped reduce injuries in some areas. The American Dental Association (ADA) estimates that the use of mouthguards prevents approximately 200,000 injuries per year in high school and college football alone.
But you don’t have to be a competitive athlete to enjoy the protection and peace of mind offered by a custom mouthguard. Experienced Burke, Virginia, dentist Dr. Pamela Marzban offers durable, form-fitting Intact mouthguards to patients of all athletic pursuits.
Advantages of Sports Mouthguards
The benefits of sports mouthguards are obvious when it comes to sports such as football, hockey and rugby. But sports mouthguards provide protection even in noncontact sports like cycling, gymnastics, track, and tennis.
Damaging dental impact can be caused by everything from a crushing tackle to an awkward step while running.
Custom-made Intact mouthguards provide stability to your jaw and cushion the blows that can cause severe dental injuries, including:
- Broken teeth
- Knocked-out teeth
- Jaw fractures
- Tongue, cheek and lip injuries
- Gum damage
Mouth guards are very effective at preventing these types of injuries. Because dental injuries can be expensive to treat, this makes sports mouthguards a great investment. Injuries sustained in youth sports can have a lifetime of consequences, so mouthguards are also protecting your child’s future.
Why Choose a Custom Mouthguard
We understand the temptation to choose an inexpensive mouthguard at your local sporting goods store. Sports are expensive, so any chance to save money is appealing. However, if you look at the whole picture, you’ll see custom mouthguards are a better choice.
Stock mouthguards are uncomfortable. Some people even find they have trouble breathing with these mouthguards. This provides a temptation to not use them–and that puts your teeth at risk. Because stock mouthguards fit poorly, they don’t provide as much protection. In some cases, they can even cause minor injuries like cuts to your gums.
Boil-and-bite mouthguards can initially provide good protection, but they wear out quickly. Frequent replacement of these mouthguards is a nuisance and an extra expense, but if they’re not replaced, it puts your teeth at risk.
By providing maximum protection, maximum comfort, and maximum durability, custom mouthguards are your best choice.
How Custom Sports Mouthguards Are Made
If you’re the parent of an athletic child, a team sports player, or someone who enjoys solitary fitness pursuits, experienced Virginia family dentist Dr. Marzban can craft an Intact sports mouthguard. These mouthguards are custom-made for your mouth and individual athletic endeavors to provide superior protection.
Intact mouthguards are made of a comfortable, tasteless acrylic that come in varying levels of strength depending on your preferred type of sport. They are resistant to tears and penetration, fit snugly and will not interfere with your breathing or speech.
Creating your custom Intact mouthguard requires two relatively brief office visits. During the first visit, Dr. Marzban will conduct an examination and take impressions of your teeth.
Those impressions will be used to create a mouthguard of the desired strength and design (Intact sports mouthguards are available clear and in a variety of color combinations to match your team or personal style). Your second visit will be to pick up your Intact mouthguard and ensure a reliable, durable fit.
After that, you’re ready to play or compete with the assurance that your smile is protected.
If you would like to learn more about custom protective sports mouthguards for yourself or your child, please call 703-323-8200 or email Burke, Virginia, dentist Dr. Pamela Marzban.
