“5 Stars, my dentist for over 20yrs, entire staff is professional, caring & my teeth look amazing.”
Vicky
Did you know that an estimated 12 million people ages 5 to 22 suffer a sport-related injury annually? This leads to 20 million lost days of school, and approximately $33 billion in healthcare costs. The answer to avoiding these injuries? Protective gear!
And you know who can benefit from protective gear? The simple answer is everyone! Protective gear is essential for individuals of all ages to prevent injuries. Below we’ll review a few protective gear options and how you can get your own.
Types of Facial Protection
- Helmets are always helpful. Helmets absorb the energy of an impact and help prevent damage to the head.
- Don’t forget your eyes! You can have 20/20 vision with protective eyewear. Eyes are extremely vulnerable to damage, especially when playing sports.
- If you don’t have one already, face shields will not only save your skin but can protect you against serious injuries. For example, hockey pucks, footballs and racquetballs can cause severe facial damage at any age.
- Athletes who participate in football, hockey and boxing are required to wear mouthguards. Mouthguards have been proven to significantly decrease the risk of oral injuries.
Types of Mouthguards
Custom-made: Custom made mouthguards require a full mouth impression taken in the dentist’s office which are then sent to a dental lab for fabrication. They provide the most protection and comfort while covering all teeth and cushioning the jaw. You shouldn’t experience any interference with speech or breathing and they are adjustable for all sports. But be prepared for the cost, these are more expensive than commercially made mouthguards.
Mouth-formed (Boil-and-Bite): These are made by boiling them in water for a period and then forming them to the teeth by applying pressure. These are extremely cost effective and available at department or sporting goods stores. They also provide a better individual fit than stock mouthguards, however, be aware that they tend to wear quickly and may need to be replaced during the sports season. Additionally, they are difficult to adapt to orthodontic appliances and you may experience difficulty speaking and breathing.
Stock or commercial mouth guards: These guards are rubber or polyvinyl and sold in small, medium, or large sizes. You can purchase them in major department or sporting goods stores, and you won’t need to worry about the price tag on these. Just like the other types of mouthguards, there are some downsides. First off, they cannot be modified to fit the individual’s mouth. They are also the least effective in terms of protection, and you will experience breathing impairments. Another frustrating aspect is that they only stay in place when the mouth is closed.
If you are interested in getting a mouthguard, we make custom sport mouthguards and have stock mouthguards for orthodontic patients. Just call for an appointment at 281-579-7222.
We would be happy to get you scheduled for an appointment and walk you through the process. We will also go over the cost associated with your guard. Unfortunately, many dental plans do not cover sport mouthguards. But remember the cost of a sport mouthguard is much cheaper than restoring broken teeth.
If you have concerns about a treatment plan from another office, take advantage of our free consultations this month. It's a great opportunity to get a second opinion and ensure your dental health is in good hands.
