Athletic Mouthguards

Athletic mouthguards are worn over your teeth to protect them from injury to the face or head while playing sports. They’re an important piece of equipment if you participate in a sport that involves body contact, flying equipment, or falls. We also recommended them for patients with braces, bridges, or other fixed dental devices to protect both the patient and their dental work. Mouthguards usually cover your upper teeth and are specially designed to prevent broken teeth, cut lips, and other damage that could occur to your mouth.

What Are My Options?

When it comes to mouthguard options, they can be custom-made, boil and bite, or stock.
Custom mouthguards are created using an impression or mold of your teeth. This type of guard will be the most comfortable because it is created specifically for you. Professional athletes tend to utilize custom guards to ensure they have great-fitting protective equipment for their teeth during practice as well as games. 

Boil and bite mouthguards come in a generic preset form that molds to the shape of your teeth after being placed in hot water. This type of mouthguard can be purchased at an athletic or sporting goods store. Stock mouthguards can also be purchased at an athletic store, but they cannot be customized, making them the least comfortable option.

Customized Athletic Mouthguards

Morey Dental offers customized athletic mouthguards to protect your teeth from injury. From start to finish, the entire process takes less than three weeks and only two visits to our office. At the first visit, we will take a dental impression of your teeth and mouth. At the second visit, you will have a chance to try on your new mouthguard and take it home with you if no adjustments need to be made. 

How Do I Care for My Mouthguard?

Keeping your mouthguard clean and safe is vital to maintaining its protection of your teeth. Regardless of the type of guard you choose, the case it comes with should close securely and have ventilation holes or slots that allow air to pass through. Always store your mouthguard in its case when not in use, and store the case in a cool, dry location. We recommend storing it outside of and away from your gym or practice bag to avoid unwanted entry of bacteria and to eliminate the possibility of mold growth. Choose a cooler location to prevent extreme heat or humidity from warping the mouthguard’s shape. We recommend replacing mouthguards after each sport season due to wear and tear that can impact their fit over time.