Custom-made mouthguards are key for protecting your teeth and preventing injury
Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle but many physical activities put you at risk for dental injury, including:
- Dislodged teeth
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Broken jaw
- Cut lips and cheek
A mouth guard helps to minimise injury from a blow to the face and mouth and it is recommended one is worn while playing sports or participating in other high-risk activities. Dental injuries are often very painful, and can be expensive and time consuming to repair. Many sports governing bodies around the world now require the use of a mouth guard by all participants, and chances are you’ve seen famous athletes wearing them during play. If you or your child is participating in a sport or activity that includes the risk of impact, come see Dr Tinney today to have a custom mouth guard made.
A custom mouth guard is designed specifically for each individual patient and fits perfectly to the exact specifications of that patient’s mouth. When you come in for a mouth guard, Dr Tinney will make an impression of your mouth using specialised material. This impression is then used to create a plaster model of your teeth which, in turn, is used to create your mouth guard.
A professionally made custom mouthguard isn’t the only option. “Boil-and-bite” mouth guards that you can buy over the counter at the chemist’s are also available. However, they are less effective and can be more uncomfortable because they don’t fit as precisely to the person’s jaw anatomy and bite. Over the counter mouth guards are also more likely to fall out during physical activity. The precision of custom-made mouth guards ensures a snug fit that still allows you to speak – a necessity during an intense match
When there is a direct impact to your jaw or the lower part of your face, the force of that impact can travel through your jaw, teeth and even into the upper part of your skull. This can lead to injuries such as tooth fractures and even concussions. If the teeth slam together, this can cause damage to both rows of teeth. A mouth guard, which is at least 4mm thick, provides a cushion that absorbs much of the shock and lessens the force spreading through your teeth, jaw and skull. Wearing a well-made mouth guard actually causes a drastic decrease in the risk and seriousness of injuries.
For more information or to book an appointment, please contact us today!