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Sports Guards Lakewood, CA Whether you compete at a high level, play on a school team, or enjoy recreational sports on weekends, protecting your smile should be part of your game plan. Sports-related dental injuries are more common than many people realize, and even a single impact can chip a tooth, damage a restoration, or cut the lips and cheeks. A custom sports mouthguard is one of the simplest ways to guard against this kind of damage.A custom sports mouthguard is fitted specifically to your teeth and bite, so it stays securely in place while cushioning your teeth, gums, and surrounding tissue during play. By absorbing and distributing the force of an impact, it helps reduce injuries that might otherwise require extensive dental treatment. Whether you play football, basketball, soccer, hockey, or another contact sport, wearing a properly fitted mouthguard made for you by Lakewood Dental Arts is a smart investment in your oral health. Understanding How a Custom Sports Mouthguard WorksUnlike a stock or boil-and-bite guard, a custom sports mouthguard is designed around your unique bite, so it fits comfortably and stays in place during play. It creates a protective barrier between your teeth and any force that could damage them, cushioning the lips, tongue, cheeks, and gums while helping prevent the upper and lower teeth from striking each other with full force. Because every athlete's mouth is different, our dental team takes impressions to design a mouthguard that fits securely and comfortably, which encourages consistent use during every practice and game. Common Sports-Related Dental InjuriesDental injuries can happen through direct contact with another player, a fall, flying equipment, or a collision with a hard surface. Common injuries include chipped or cracked teeth, knocked-out or loose teeth, cuts to the lips or cheeks, jaw injuries, and damage to crowns, veneers, or other restorations. Some injuries are obvious right away, while others aren't noticed until pain or sensitivity develops later. A well-fitted mouthguard significantly lowers the risk of these outcomes. Mouthguards for Kids With BracesYoung athletes in orthodontic treatment face unique risks, since an impact can damage brackets and wires or injure the soft tissue around them. A mouthguard for kids with braces needs to accommodate the appliance itself and allow room for the teeth to keep shifting throughout treatment. Our dentists can design a mouthguard for kids with braces that adjusts alongside orthodontic changes, offering reliable protection without interfering with the progress of treatment. Because a child's bite and appliance can change over the course of treatment, these mouthguards should be checked regularly and replaced as needed. Who Should Wear a Sports Mouthguard?Sports mouthguards aren't just for football or hockey. Any activity involving speed, contact, falls, or flying objects carries some risk, including basketball, soccer, baseball, wrestling, martial arts, gymnastics, skateboarding, and roller or ice skating. Even sports that seem lower risk can lead to unexpected dental injuries, which is why a properly fitted guard is worth considering for nearly any athletic activity. Comfort Encourages Consistent UseA common reason athletes avoid wearing a mouthguard is concern that it will interfere with breathing or speaking. A well-fitting custom sports mouthguard should stay securely in place, allow normal breathing and speech, and feel stable during movement without feeling bulky. An uncomfortable appliance is less likely to be worn consistently, so finding the right fit matters as much as the material itself. Keeping Your Mouthguard CleanRinse the mouthguard before and after each use, clean it gently with a toothbrush and mild soap, and let it air dry completely before storing it in a ventilated case. Keep it away from excessive heat, which can distort its shape, and inspect it regularly for tears or wear. If it becomes damaged or no longer fits well, it should be replaced. Growing children and teens, and those with braces, may need a new mouthguard more often as their mouths continue to develop. Visit Our Dental Team for a Custom FitRoutine dental visits are a good opportunity to have a mouthguard evaluated to check its fit and condition. Our dentists, including our pediatric dentist, can determine whether an appliance still offers adequate protection or if it's time for an adjustment or replacement, especially after a change in bite, a completed round of orthodontic treatment, or a new restoration. Protect Your Smile Before the Next GameEvery sport carries some level of risk, but a custom sports mouthguard provides dependable protection for teeth, gums, lips, cheeks, and existing dental work while allowing athletes to compete with confidence. Whether you play occasionally or train year-round, Lakewood Dental Arts is here to help you or your child find a comfortable, secure fit before the next practice or game. Contact us at (562) 384-1091 to schedule an appointment. |
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