If you are an athlete who has braces, it’s very important to protect your smile and your orthodontic appliance with an athletic mouthguard. Mouthguards protect your smile from the hard, forceful objects that can hit it, and it keeps your appliance in tip-top shape. If you are in need of a mouthguard, here are some of your options:
Stock mouthguards
Stock mouthguards are generally found at your local sporting goods store. This option is the cheapest guard available, and it keeps the smile and appliance from being harmed. However, many find this guard to be bulky, which makes it difficult to breathe while wearing it.
Boil-and-bite mouthguards
Boil-and-bite mouthguards can also be purchased at your local sporting goods store. This guard is a little more custom fit compared to the stock mouthguard. When you mold this appliance, you will place it into a bowl of boiling water. Then, when the material has softened, you will put the guard in your mouth and you will bite down. Use your fingers and tongue to apply pressure to the guard. The material will then cool, hardening into the shape of your smile.
Custom-made mouthguards
Custom-made mouthguards are going to be your best option when it comes to using a guard that is made perfectly for your smile. Your dentist or orthodontist will create a mouthguard that will fit over your teeth and braces, giving you the best protection possible. This may be your best option when it comes to choosing a mouthguard; however, it might also be the most expensive.
Call Creekside Dental Ellensburg today at 509-933-4800 if you have any questions or if you would like to talk to Dr. Kevin Packard about a custom-made mouthguard. We are here to do everything we can to protect your smile, and we look forward to helping you!