Mouth Guards Houston, TX

Extra Protection for Your Teeth

Keep in mind that while healthy teeth are less likely to become damaged, they still can be and this is where a mouth guard can be helpful. There are several types of mouth guards that you can wear to protect yourself from a sports-related dental injury. While you can buy a one-size-fits-all solution at the drugstore, there is always a risk that it will become loose and slip out of place when you need it most. You can also purchase a kit that requires you to boil the guard and then fit it to your teeth. This too, can be amateurish in how well it fits, simply because it was not professionally created. We recommend you visit us so that can take measurements and make an impression of your mouth. This way, a mouth guard can be created in the lab to the exact specifications of your teeth. At Eva Boldridge DMD PA, we are confident that when you wear one of our guards, your teeth will be protected from the majority of dental injuries that occur when playing sports.

What do mouth guards look like?

It is common for our Houston patients to be interested in mouth guards without being sure of whether or not they will be comfortable with the appearance of one. This is perfectly natural since most people do not want to stand out as the one wearing too much protective gear. Fortunately, our mouth guards are created using clear plastic so they blend into the background. If you put it in when no one is looking, it is unlikely that anyone will notice your guard during practice or the game. This is another advantage of visiting our Houston dental office for your guard. The ones sold at the store are often brightly colored and, since they do not fit perfectly, can come loose during play, making them stand out even more. However, if you would prefer a bright colored mouth guard, then we can discuss creating one in the right size.

Why do people wear mouth guards?

Mouth guards are primarily necessary when practicing or playing sports. Most people do not realize how common it is to sustain a face or mouth injury while playing a game. Certain sports are notorious for requiring players to wear guards, while others are not. For example, football players must wear mouth guards while basketball players do not. As a result, basketball players have a high rate of injury. According to the American Dental Association, the risk of sustaining an injury is 1.6 to 1.9 times higher when not wearing a mouth guard. Dental mouth guards are so effective that the ADA estimates they prevent 200,000 injuries every year.

What is the risk of not wearing a mouth guard?

At Eva Boldridge DMD PA, we encourage all of our athlete patients to wear a mouth guard. Otherwise, you may be at increased risk of a tooth breaking, cracking, chipping, or even getting knocked out. If the impact is particularly strong, teeth may even be forced upwards into the gums or pierce through the ceeks or lips — all of which can be incredibly uncomfortable and lead to a dental emergency.