Sports Mouth Guards
Syracuse, NY
 About 10 percent of athletes experience some form of dental or facial injury during an athletic season. Players are 60 times more at risk of damaging their teeth if they do not wear mouth guards. At Janice K. Pliszczak, DDS, Janice K. Pliszczak, DDS and Dr. Pliszczak we strongly recommend the use of a professional-grade, custom-fitted sports mouth guard.
What are Sports Mouth Guards?
Sports mouth guards are semi-circular, protective devices made of tough thermoplastic. These mouth guards cover your teeth and prevent injuries to your teeth and the soft tissues of the mouth when you are playing sports including football, baseball, basketball, football, tennis, biking, gymnastics, and any other sports that involve flying objects, falls, or contact.
By wearing a sports mouth guard, you have a lesser risk of breaking your teeth, biting your tongue, or cutting your mouth.
Risks of Not Wearing a Sports Mouth Guard
If you do not wear a sports mouth guard, you may be at high risk of several types of injuries including:
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Tooth fractures
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Knocked out or displaced teeth
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Mouth trauma resulting in scars
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Tongue and inner cheek injuries
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Higher risk of jaw fractures |
What is the Best Type of Sports Mouth Guard?
Sports mouth guard comes in a few different types:
Stock Mouth Guard
These mouth guards are pre-made, one-size-fits-all, and are readily available in sports stores and pharmacies. They do not cost much but neither are they very comfortable, durable, or effective. Since they come in a standard size, they feel bulky in the mouth, have a poor fit, and provide little protection. Janice K. Pliszczak, DDS and Dr. Pliszczak do not recommend their use.
Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guard
Boil-and-bite sports mouth guards are made from thermoplastic, which softens when placed in boiling water. You can then place these mouth guards on your teeth by biting down on them. These mouth guards provide better protection and comfort than stock mouth guards and are available at sporting goods stores. However, they are not the very best mouth guards that you can buy.
Custom-Fit Mouth Guard
At Janice K. Pliszczak, DDS, we can make custom-fit sports mouth guards for you. These mouth guards are made of very high-grade and durable plastic and offer the most comfort, durability, and protection.
We will take an impression of your teeth and will create a custom-fit mouth guard according to the exact specifications of your mouth.
Standards for Sports Mouth Guards
According to the American Dental Association, a sports mouth guard is only effective when it has certain properties:
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It offers a good fit. Not surprisingly, stock mouth guards do not even come close to meeting this requirement. They can prevent the player from speaking or breathing properly which can affect their performance. As such, custom-made sports mouth guards are the best choice.
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It is made of resilient material: Custom-made mouth guards are made of FDA-approved material which covers all the teeth in an arch and extends to the surrounding soft tissue. This material is resilient enough to withstand a significant amount of force without breaking.
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It should have adequate thickness: Sports mouth guards need to be at least 3 mm thick. If you play contact sports, we advise you to wear sports mouth guards that are at least 4 mm or thicker.
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It should have a high buffer: Your sports mouth guard should be able to disperse the force of the blow on your teeth, preventing damage. |
If you participate in any form of sports, it is very important that you wear a sports mouth guard. Our office also offers night guards, for those who suffer from bruxism or sleep apnea. Call us today at (315) 800-5020 to schedule a dental exam. so that we can make a custom-fit sports mouth guard for you. |
