Athletic Mouthguards in Leduc, AB
Whether you participate in contact recreational sports or grind your teeth at night, a mouthguard may be the ideal solution for you. However, it's crucial that you trust a dental office with experience providing quality mouthguards. At TruSmiles, we're proud to provide custom-fit mouthguards to Leduc residents and those in its neighbouring communities.
You can rest assured that we'll contour your mouthguards and sportsguards for a comfortable and secure fit. Our dentist can't wait to meet you and show you the benefits of our Leduc dental mouthguards and sportsguards. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment with our team and learn more about our various offerings!
CALL US: (780) 739-7000 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
What are Mouthguards?
Mouthguards, also known as sports guards or athletic mouth protectors, are crucial pieces of equipment for any child participating in potentially injurious recreational or sporting activities. Fitting snugly over the upper teeth, mouthguards protect the entire oral region from traumatic injury, preserving both the esthetic appearance and the health of the smile. In addition, mouthguards are sometimes used to prevent tooth damage in children who grind (brux) their teeth at night.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) in particular, advocates for the use of dental mouthguards during any sporting or recreational activity. Most store-bought mouthguards cost fewer than ten dollars, making them a perfect investment for every parent.
How can mouthguards protect my child?
The majority of sporting organizations now require participants to routinely wear mouthguards. Though mouthguards are primarily designed to protect the teeth, they can also vastly reduce the degree of force transmitted from a trauma impact point (jaw) to the central nervous system (base of the brain). In this way, mouthguards help minimize the risk of traumatic brain injury, which is especially important for younger children.
Mouthguards also reduce the prevalence of the following injuries:
- Cheek lesions
- Concussions
- Gum and soft tissue injuries
- Jawbone fractures
- Lip lesions
- Neck injuries
- Tongue lesions
- Tooth fractures
What type of mouthguard should I purchase for my child?
Though there are literally thousands of mouthguard brands, most brands fall into three major categories: stock mouthguards, boil and bite mouthguards, and customized mouthguards.
Some points to consider when choosing a mouthguard include:
- How much money is available to spend?
- How often does the child play sports?
- What kind of sport does the child play? (Basketball and baseball tend to cause the most oral injuries).
In light of these points, here is an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of mouthguard:
- Stock mouthguards – These mouthguards can be bought directly off the shelf and immediately fitted into the child’s mouth. The fit is universal (one-size-fits-all), meaning that that the mouthguard doesn’t adjust. Stock mouthguards are very cheap, easy to fit, and quick to locate at sporting goods stores. Pediatric dentists favor this type of mouthguard least, as it provides minimal protection, obstructs proper breathing and speaking, and tends to be uncomfortable.
- Boil and bite mouthguards – These mouthguards are usually made from thermoplastic and are easily located at most sporting goods stores. First, the thermoplastic must be immersed in hot water to make it pliable, and then it must be pressed on the child’s teeth to create a custom mold. Boil and bite mouthguards are slightly more expensive than stock mouthguards, but tend to offer more protection, feel more comfortable in the mouth, and allow for easy speech production and breathing.
- Customized mouthguards – These mouthguards offer the greatest degree of protection, and are custom-made by the dentist. First, the dentist makes an impression of the child’s teeth using special material, and then the mouthguard is constructed over the mold. Customized mouthguards are more expensive and take longer to fit, but are more comfortable, orthodontically correct, and fully approved by the dentist.
If you have questions or concerns about choosing a mouthguard for your child, please contact our office.
CALL US: (780) 739-7000 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
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