Sport Guards
A Sports Guard Can Protect Your Teeth
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If you or one of your children are active in sports, injuries tend to be a common occurrence. When an injury arises, possible damage to your teeth could affect your speech, smile, and ability to chew. It’s important for you to protect yourself.
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A Sports guard can protect your mouth from any hits to the face. Your top teeth are more prominent than your bottom teeth and are more likely to feel the force of a hit. A guard works to cover the top teeth while also protecting your tongue, inside of your cheeks, and jaw.
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You should wear a mouthguard for any high contact sport, like football, hockey, or boxing. Keep in mind, injuries can occur in any physical activity, so anytime you feel there’s a risk you might get hurt, it would be a good idea to wear a guard.
Why Do I Need A Custom-Made Sports Guard?
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You can buy a guard at most sporting goods stores that can be molded to your teeth by heating them up and biting down on them. However, if you want to give yourself the best possible protection and comfort, you should get a custom mouthguard made especially for you by your dentist.
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Since they are designed from exact molds of your mouth, a custom-made sports guard fits much better than any that you’ll be able to find at a store. A professional and custom-made guard offers superior protection and comfort.
How Is It Made?
First, our dentist will use a special dental putty to make an impression of your mouth. This impression is then used to make a perfect replica of your teeth out of special plaster like material. The mold recreates every single nook and cranny in your teeth perfectly, allowing for a custom fit.
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Finally, the replica is used by a lab to create a mouthguard that fits perfectly on the teeth. There shouldn’t be any problems with how it fits, however, if there are any issues, speak with our doctors and they will be able to make adjustments accordingly.
Can A Sports Guard Protect Braces?
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If you or your child has braces, it’s even more important that you protect your mouth and teeth. If you aren’t wearing one and you end up taking a hit to the face, you could potentially damage the braces and smash teeth. You’ll experience a lot of pain and damage the inside of your mouth because the braces will cause increased trauma from the hit.
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Your dentist might recommend a sports guard for your bottom teeth if you have braces on them as well. Custom made guards can be expensive, but if you’ve already spent a significant amount of money on braces, it’s smart to protect your investment. Take preventative action by scheduling an appointment today, and get your questions answered about treatment to protect your teeth and braces.
Is There Any Special Care Required For A Mouth Guard?
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Once you have your custom sports guard, there are some things you’ll need to do to make sure it continues to offer you the best protection.
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If you notice signs of wear and tear or if it starts to hurt when you put it in, make an appointment with your dentist to have it replaced immediately
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Teens and children need to be reevaluated on a regular basis because their mouths are still growing and may need a replacement
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Clean your mouthguard with toothpaste and a toothbrush after every use
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Take your sports guard with you to every dental appointment so your dentist can make sure it still fits properly
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Keep your guard in a vented case when not in use, which will keep it protected and also let it air out to lessen bacterial growth
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Don’t put your guard in hot water as it could soften and lose its snug fit
Schedule Your Next Dental Appointment Today!
R & A Dentistry offers full-service dental exams, cleanings and a variety of dental services in Downtown Calgary. With flexible, available appointments, we can work around your busy schedule to help you stay on top of your dental health, today and into the future.
Contact us today to schedule your next visit, or let us answer any questions you have about our services. For appointments, call (403) 209-2299 today.