Fall is upon us, and that means the beginning of the season for many various sports that will be played by young children and teens around the country, especially football and hockey. We here at The Village Orthodontist love when our patients are active and having fun, but we also want them to be safe. That is why we recommend that every child playing a contact sport wear a custom-made mouth guard to protect their mouth, whether they are wearing braces or not.
The Superiority Of Custom-Made Mouth Guards From Your Local Frederick Orthodontist
There are a few types of different mouth guards out there on the market. Stock mouth guards that you can walk into a store and buy off the shelf are one-size-fits-some and do not conform to the uniqueness of your bite, jaw, and teeth. “Boil and bite” mouth guards are appliances that can also be bought off the shelf, boiled until soft and malleable, and then placed in the mouth to slightly customize to your mouth. However, boil and bite mouth guards are often bulky, uncomfortable, and do not offer a high level of protection.
The best protection comes from a custom-made mouth guard generated by an orthodontist like Dr. Jon A. Moles. Customized mouth guards are comfortable, tear-resistant, and well fitted to your mouth’s dimensions. They provide superior safety, and can even be specialized for the type of sport that is being played by the wearer. They are more expensive than stock or boil and bite types, but this is money well spent, as dental issues that arise from poor or no protection can cost thousands of dollars. Whether you have metal braces, clear braces, or Invisalign, custom-made mouth guards are the ideal choice to keep your smile healthy and beautiful.
