Custom-fitted mouthguards are made especially for you by Dr. Steffens and her team. They are customized especially for your mouth and so they offer a much better fit than store purchased stock mouthguards.
The total cost to replace an avulsed tooth (complete displacement of the tooth out of its socket) may result in months or even years of treatment, with costs ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. This may be up to 10 times more than the cost of a custom-fabricated mouthguard.
Imagine what it would be like if you suddenly lost one of your front teeth. Smiling, talking, eating—everything would suddenly be affected.
Mouthguards, also called mouth protectors (or sportsguards), help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. They typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining. Knowing how to prevent injuries like these is especially important if you participate in organized sports or other recreational activities.
When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouthguard is a vital piece of your athletic gear that must be part of your standard equipment from an early age. In fact, studies show that athletes are 60 times more likely to suffer harm to the teeth if they are not wearing a mouthguard. While collision and contact sports, such as boxing, are higher-risk sports for the mouth, you can experience a dental injury in non-contact activities too, such as gymnastics and skating.
Here are some of the benefits of wearing a mouthguard during sports
● Mouthguards prevent laceration and bruising during impact by acting as a buffer between the soft tissues of the lips and cheeks and the teeth.
● Mouthguards prevent tooth fractures or dislocations by cushioning the teeth from direct frontal blows while redistributing the forces of impact.
●Opposing teeth are protected from contact with each other by wearing a mouthguard.
If your child wears braces, we fabricate custom fit mouth guards that fits over the braces or other fixed orthodontic appliances. It is especially important to have a mouthguard that fits properly. Otherwise, a blow to the mouth can damage the brackets and wires of the braces, and can also cause added damage (cuts and tears) to the soft tissue inside your mouth. These types of injuries may call for extensive repair and lengthen orthodontic treatment time. Mouthguards are usually worn only on the upper teeth, but people with braces may consider using mouthguards on both sets of teeth.
Dr. Steffens and her team can make a mouthguard that is a perfect fit for your mouth to protect your priceless teeth. Protect your precious teeth from injury and contact our office today!
Caring for your mouthguard:
- Rinse before and after each use or brush with a toothbrush and toothpaste
- Occasionally clean the mouthguard in cool, soapy water and rinse thoroughly
- Transport the mouthguard in a sturdy container that has vents
- Never leave the mouthguard in the sun or in hot water
- Check for wear and tear to see if it needs replacing