Sports Mouthguards in North York

If you've enrolled your child or yourself into a contact sport or activity, you have undoubtedly created a list of safety equipment you will need. If a mouth guard isn't on your list of equipment, add it now!

What is a mouthguard?

Mouthguards are durable appliances that fit over your teeth for protection. When worn during contact activities, mouthguards help protect against injuries to the teeth, jaw and areas in and around your mouth.

How does a sports mouthguard work?

When there is an impact to your mouth or jaw, a mouthguard acts as a cushion that redistributes the force of the blow evenly. Studies show that properly fitted sport's mouthguards when worn during an impact can prevent or lessen the severity of injuries such as concussion, neck injuries and other potentially severe injuries.

A mouthguard provides a barrier between your teeth and your mouth's soft tissue. As a result, sport's mouthguards help prevent damage to teeth as well as cuts to lips, gums, and other soft tissue in and around your mouth.

Choosing a Mouthguard

Mouthguards vary in terms of cost, comfort, and effectiveness. The ideal mouthguard is durable, resilient, and comfortable. It should fit properly, be easy to clean, and should not affect your ability to breathe or speak.

Types of Sport Mouthguards

Stock Sport Mouthguards: These are ready-made. You simply place the appliance in your mouth and use it "as is." You can buy these in stores that sell sporting goods. They are also sold over the Internet. They provide some basic protection and should be worn if you have no other options. These mouthguards do not grip the teeth, and it can be difficult to keep them in place unless you bite down on them constantly while you are wearing them.

Boil-and-bite Sport Mouthguards: These are made from materials that are resilient under normal conditions, but become pliable when heated. You place this type of mouthguard into very hot water until it softens, and then bite into it so it will take the shape of your mouth and fit more closely over your teeth. The mouthguards are easier to keep in place and offer slightly more protection than the stock version.

Custom-Fitted Sport Mouthguards: These are prescribed and fitted by a dental professional. The process involves making a model of your teeth and then moulding the mouthguard material around the dental model to ensure a close and comfortable fit. This model of sport's mouthguard may cost slightly more but will offer you the highest level of protection and comfort of your options.

If you or your children wear braces or other fixed orthodontic appliances, it is especially important to have a mouthguard that fits properly. Otherwise, an impact to the mouth can damage the brackets and wires of the braces, and can also cause added damage (cuts and tears) to the soft tissue inside your mouth. Mouthguards are usually worn only on the upper teeth, but people with braces on their lower teeth should consider using mouthguards on both sets of teeth.

The team at Lawrence West Dental in North York can create mouth guards for you and your children ensuring that your activities are safer for your smile.