At Cummins Dental Group, we see many of our younger patients suffer from dental emergencies or issues due to experiencing blunt force trauma to their teeth in sporting events. We all love to play sports, but it is essential to take precautions and protect your teeth using athletic mouthguards. For each child and adult that participates in athletics, we encourage you to come into our dental office and get a customized mouthguard in Silver Spring, Maryland, to protect your smile. 

Why do you need Athletic Mouthguards? 

According to the American Dental Association, sports are responsible for nearly one-third of dental crises. It can be a nightmare for your teeth when rapid speeds, flying objects, and energetic players collide. Whether you’re a professional athlete or just playing for pleasure, a sports mouthguard can protect your teeth from injury.

We encourage our patients that play contact sports to use a mouth guard to prevent teeth from being broken or knocked out. Sports that can cause injury include basketball, volleyball, boxing, hockey, football, soccer, and wrestling. 

How Do They Work? 

When playing contact sports, an athlete should wear a mouthguard over the top teeth. A mouthguard forms a protective layer between your teeth and the point of impact. If you’re tackled on the football field or punched in the boxing ring, your tooth will be less likely to be lost. A mouthguard should be able to sustain focused force while also being tear-resistant. You should also be able to talk and breathe easily while wearing your mouthguard.

Types of Athletic Mouthguards 

Boil Bite: 

Boil and bite mouth guards use a thermoplastic polymer that softens when exposed to hot water. Then the user bites into the material. Although the material conforms to your teeth, it is not as durable or comfortable as a custom-fit mouthguard, which a dentist can only offer for sports.

Stock: 

Stock mouthguards are probably the least effective because they protect your teeth and jaws in a “one size fits all” manner. As a result, these mouthguards are uncomfortable and make breathing and talking difficult for athletes. Dr. Cummins does not recommend stock mouthguards because they do not provide the level of protection your teeth require when participating in contact sports.

Customized: 

Custom-made athletic mouthguards provide a level of protection unrivaled by anything available at your local sporting goods store. We will take impressions of your teeth during your visit to fit your mouthguard appropriately. Custom athletic mouthguards are made of sturdy and comfortable materials, allowing you to breathe and talk freely.

Which is the Best Mouthguard for Me? 

Because they fit the unique shape of your top teeth, custom mouthguards provide maximum protection. Custom mouthguards are the most expensive, but they provide a level of protection for your teeth that cannot be matched by the generic stock or boil and bite mouthguards found at sporting goods stores. Remember that the expense of restoring a damaged tooth is much more than the cost of a personalized mouthguard.

We can also make a mouthguard for your child’s bottom teeth if they wear braces or another fixed dental appliance. Braces mouthguards protect you against damaged wires and brackets.

Get Your Child’s Athletic Mouthguards Today 

We highly recommend getting yourself or your child a customized athletic mouth guard as soon as possible. Helping you maintain a beautiful and healthy smile full of your natural teeth is what we do best here at Cummins Dental Group. If you are in the Silver Spring, Maryland area and are wondering if your child needs a guard, please give Dr. Cummins and his team a call to have all your questions answered.