Contact sports are one of the leading causes of damaged teeth. Blows to the face can cause fractures, cracks or knocked out teeth. New research has even revealed the severe danger presented by concussions and traumatic brain injury.
Blows to the face and mouth can be especially harmful to people wearing braces. The American Dental Association estimates that nearly $500 million is spent each year dealing with these kinds of injuries. In most cases these injuries could have been prevented by wearing a custom mouth guard.
Boil and bite mouth guards, stock mouth guards and other retail level mouthpieces might be inexpensive, but they are rarely comfortable. Many athletes complain that they also make it difficult to breathe. Because of this some athletes choose not to wear a mouth guard at all!
Your dentist can fit you for a custom mouth guard that is specifically designed to match your teeth and bite pattern for maximum comfort and easy breathing. They are made from a special thermoplastic material that is known for being very durable. With proper care they can provide years of protection for your mouth, and potentially limited the chances of concussion.
The money spent on a custom mouth guard greatly outweighs the cost of repairing or replacing damaged and lost teeth.
If you are interested in being fitted for a custom mouth guard please feel free to call us at 801.224.6165 to schedule an appointment.