Sports Mouth Guards in Houston, TX
If you are interested in sports or other athletic activities, it is important to have the right gear for optimal protection. To protect your teeth, gums, and soft tissues against dental injuries, Dr. Patel and Dr. Vu provide customized sports mouth guards in Houston, TX. This appliance is specially designed to prevent the risk of dental injuries during sports activities. Contact our team at Next Care Dental Houston today for a personalized mouth guard.
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Reasons To Consider Getting A Sports Mouth Guard
Being a part of high-impact sports such as basketball, soccer, cricket, and baseball can be thrilling, but these activities also carry the risk of dental injuries. Issues like knocked-out teeth, cracked or broken teeth, and bleeding from gums and soft tissues occur frequently during sports. Fortunately, these issues can be prevented with our custom sports mouth guards available at our clinic in Houston, TX.
A sports mouth guard is a special oral appliance that serves as a protective shield for your teeth and gums during athletic activities. It absorbs high-impact shocks, preventing the risk of dental injuries. Unlike ready-made mouthguards, our custom appliances are more comfortable to wear and offer optimal protection.
Benefits of Sports Mouth Guards
Our customized sports mouth guards provide various benefits compared to over-the-counter products. This appliance:
- Prevents your teeth from getting knocked out, cracked, or fractured during sports activities.
- Minimizes the risk of dental injuries and soft-tissue damage.
- Lowers the direct impact of an injury and prevents serious damage to your oral cavity.
- Creates a shield for your dental work, such as braces, dental crowns, or fillings.
- Creates a cushioning barrier and prevents teeth from grinding during sports.
- Stabilizes the jaws and lowers the risk of damage to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Getting A New Sports Mouth Guard in Houston
The fabrication of a customized sports mouth guard at our facility is a quick and easy process. We will first take your impressions to record the anatomy of your oral cavity. This helps us customize the shape and design of the appliance, ensuring that it fits perfectly in your mouth.
When your mouth guard is ready, we will schedule another appointment to test its fit. Our dentists will also ensure that it rests comfortably in your oral cavity and does not irritate your gums or soft tissues. At the end of the process, we will provide instructions on using and maintaining your appliance.
Question About Sports Mouth Guards
FAQs about Sports Mouth Guards
1) If I can buy a mouth guard at a sporting goods store for $15, why should I get a custom one here?
The difference is in the fit and the level of protection. Store-bought boil-and-bite guards are often bulky and loose, which means they can actually fall out during an impact right when you need them most. A custom guard from Next Care Dental is molded exactly to your teeth, ensuring it stays in place even during heavy breathing or a fall. Because it fits perfectly, it distributes the force of a blow much more evenly, significantly reducing the risk of a knocked-out tooth.
2) Will a custom mouth guard make it harder for me to breathe or call out plays during a game?
Actually, a custom fit makes breathing and speaking much easier! Because our guards are slim and stay securely on your teeth without you having to clench to keep them in place, your airway remains open. Whether you’re a quarterback calling signals or a soccer player sprinting down the field, you’ll find that a professional guard doesn’t interfere with your performance the way a bulky, store-bought one does.
3) I wear braces; do I still need a mouth guard, and will it even fit over my brackets?
It is actually more important to wear a guard if you have braces. A blow to the face without protection can cause the metal brackets to lacerate the inside of your cheeks and lips. We design special custom guards that account for your orthodontic work, providing a smooth shield that protects both your teeth and your soft tissues. As your teeth move during treatment, we can monitor the fit to ensure you stay protected.
4) Can a high-quality sports mouth guard really help prevent a concussion?
While no mouth guard can 100% prevent a concussion, a custom-fitted appliance acts as a shock absorber for your jaw. By providing a thick, cushioned barrier between your upper and lower teeth, it prevents the lower jaw from being slammed into the base of the skull during an impact to the chin. This helps dissipate the energy of the blow and can lower the risk of certain types of head and jaw injuries.
5) Do I need a guard if I play a 'non-contact' sport like basketball or baseball?
Statistics show that a huge percentage of dental injuries happen in limited-contact sports like basketball, where an accidental elbow to the face is common. In baseball, a high-speed ball or a collision at a base can be devastating to your smile. We recommend a sports guard for any activity where there is a risk of a blow to the face. It’s much easier to wear a guard than to undergo an emergency tooth replacement.
6) How long will my custom sports guard last before I need a new one?
For adults, a high-quality guard can last several years if it’s cared for properly. However, for younger athletes who are still growing or losing baby teeth, the guard may need to be replaced every season to ensure it still fits correctly. During your routine checkups at our Houston office, bring your mouth guard along so Dr. Patel or Dr. Vu can check it for signs of wear and tear or changes in fit.
7) What is the best way to clean my guard so it doesn't get smelly or grow bacteria?
You should rinse your mouth guard with cool water and give it a quick brush with a soft toothbrush after every use. Avoid using hot water, as it can warp the custom shape. Once a week, give it a deep clean with a dedicated appliance cleaner. Most importantly, always store it in its ventilated case; throwing a damp guard into a dark gym bag is a recipe for bacteria growth!
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Schedule A Visit Today
Visit our practice before your next big game to get customized sports mouth guards in Houston, TX. You can call us at (713) 952-0522 to schedule an appointment.