Mouth Guards + Sports = Safety

April is National Facial Protection Month and every April, Dr. Theresa Skelton and her team would like to remind our athletes to wear a mouth guard during recreational and organized sports.

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A mouth guard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age when it comes to protecting your mouth. Mouth guards prevent injuries to the bone and tissues around the teeth. 

A properly fitted mouth guard may be especially important for people who wear braces. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances. A mouth guard provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek or lips, which will help you avoid injuries to your gums and cheeks.

An effective mouth guard should be comfortable, resist tears, be durable and easy to clean, and should not restrict your breathing or speech. There are three types of mouth guards:

1. Stock mouth guards are preformed and come ready to wear. They are inexpensive and can be purchased at most sporting goods stores. However, little can be done to adjust their fit, they are bulky and may make breathing and talking difficult.
2. Boil and bite mouth guards can also be purchased at many sporting goods stores and may offer a better fit than stock mouth guards. The "boil and bite" mouth guard  is placed in hot water to soften, then placed in the mouth and shaped around the teeth using finger pressure. 
3. Custom-fitted mouth guards are individually designed and made in an orthodontic office. Due to the use of the special material and because of the extra time and work involved, custom-made mouth guards are a little more expensive than the other types of mouth guards, but they provide the most comfort and protection.

Who Needs a Mouthguard?

Mouth guards should be used by anyone playing contact sports such as football, soccer, and basketball. However, even those participating in non-contact sports or any recreational activity that might pose a risk of injury to the mouth would benefit from wearing a protective mouth guard.   

If you're an athlete and a patient of Dr. Theresa Skelton, talk to her and her team about selecting a mouth guard that will provide the right protection for you. For more information give us a call at our Greenville office at 662-332-4902. Our friendly and knowledgeable team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Are you ready to look into a custom-fitted mouth guard for you or your active child? Summertime is the perfect time! Contact Dr. Theresa Skelton  for more details and to schedule your next appointment.