MOUTHGUARDS IN CHESTER, VA

The protection of your smile is essential if you want to keep it beautiful and healthy. Mouth guards are an easy and effective way to protect your teeth and gums from an injury to the mouth, especially if you actively participate in sports.

SPORTS MOUTHGUARD

Anytime you participate in a sport, it’s important to make sure you’re wearing the proper mouth guard; injuries to the jaw and mouth are among the most common injuries that are suffered by athletes. Mouthguards help protect your teeth and gums from any type of injury you may experience. The American Dental Association recommends that you wear a mouth guard if you actively participate in the following:

  • Basketball

  • Boxing
  • Hockley
  • Football
  • Gymnastics
  • Lacrosse
  • Martial arts
  • Racquetball
  • Rugby
  • Track and field
  • Skateboarding
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Skydiving
  • Soccer
  • Surfing
  • Volleyball
  • Water polo
  • Weightlifting
  • Wrestling

TYPES OF MOUTHGUARDS

Choosing the right mouthguard is important. There are 3 basic types of sports guards:

  • Pre-made mouth guard
  • Boil-and-bite fitted mouth guard
  • Custom-made mouth guard

Most dentists recommend using a boil-and-bite fitted dental guard or custom-made mouthguard for the best protection. When choosing a dental guard, make sure you pick one that is resistant to tears, well-fitted to your mouth and allows you to continue breathing properly. It’s also important that you choose a mouth guard that is easy to clean.

MAINTAINING YOUR MOUTHGUARD

Just like you would any other dental appliance like retainers and braces, it’s important to take care of your mouthguard by storing it in the right place and keeping it clean. You should also replace your mouthguard at the right frequency. Here are a few tips to maintain your mouth guard:

  • Scrub your dental guard after every use with a toothbrush and toothpaste.

  • Store your mouthguard in a protective case.

  • Replace your mouth guard at the start of every new sports season; you should also replace your mouthguard if you notice and wears or tears, or if it no longer fits properly.