MOUTHGUARDS

PROTECTING YOUR SMILE IN RICHMOND AND NEW KENT

Mouthguards

Whether you’ve just finished your orthodontic treatment plan or are just getting started, now is the perfect time to protect your new smile with a mouthguard! Mouthguards are removable protection appliances worn over teeth to protect them from injury during sports or teeth grinding (bruxism). Holbert Family Orthodontics is pleased to offer custom-made mouthguards, so you can play hard and rest easy knowing your teeth are safe from potential injuries.

WHO SHOULD WEAR A MOUTHGUARD?

Do you enjoy contact sports like football, hockey, rugby, boxing, and martial arts? Then you need a mouthguard! Mouthguards protect your smile during and after orthodontic treatment and are important to wear at all times while playing a sport. Holbert Family Orthodontics encourages all children, teens and adults involved in high contact sports activities to wear a protection appliance over their teeth. Here are some other situations where you might want to consider one:

  • Athletes: As mentioned, high-contact sports are a critical time to wear your teeth protection. It’s also a good idea to wear one for non-contact sports like gymnastics or basketball where accidental collisions can occur.

  • Teeth Grinders: Holbert Family Orthodontics can also make them for patients who clench or grind their teeth at night, also known as bruxism. These appliances can be used during sleep to protect your teeth from excessive wear.

  • Orthodontic Patients: Our braces patients should wear them to prevent their brackets from breaking, protect damage to their gums and limit emergency visits to our office.

  • Children: Kids involved in recreational activities with a risk of dental injury should wear them to protect their developing teeth and jaw.

What Injuries Can A Mouthguard Prevent?

The American Dental Association (ADA) states that more than 200,000 oral injuries are prevented each year by wearing a mouthguard. When it comes to protecting your smile, it is an important piece of athletic gear. Accidents happen, and if you are wearing one, the damage to your teeth and soft tissues in your mouth will be reduced. It can prevent:

  • Chipped teeth: Mouthguards absorb and distribute the impact forces, reducing the risk of chipped, broken, or fractured teeth.

  • Jaw Injuries: The appliance absorbs and disperses impact forces, reducing the risk of fractures to the jawbone. It can also provide support and stabilization, potentially preventing Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) injuries or minimizing their severity.

  • Damage to lips and tongue: The appliance provides a cushioning effect, reducing the likelihood of cuts and lacerations to the lips, tongue, and cheeks during impact. The padding of a mouthguard can help prevent bruises to the soft tissues of the mouth.

  • Tooth loss: It can help stabilize teeth and minimize the risk of teeth being knocked out or displaced.

  • Dental Pain: For individuals who grind their teeth (bruxism), wearing a mouthguard at night can prevent dental damage, jaw pain and associated issues.

  • Orthodontic Treatment: They can protect our patients with braces or other orthodontic appliances from injuries caused by impact to the mouth.

STORE BOUGHT MOUTHGUARDS

If you do not have a custom-made mouthguard, there are other options available at sporting goods stores and pharmacies. Mouthguards come with instructions on how to make them fit securely in your mouth. Usually, you will place the mouthguard into hot water for a short period of time and then place it on your teeth. When softened, it will mold itself to fit the contour of your teeth and bite. They may be slightly bulky, but they are better than not having one at all!

If you are interested in getting a custom-made mouthguard, please call Holbert Family Orthodontics in Richmond, VA at (804) 270-7824 or our New Kent office at (804) 966-3030.