If you or your child play contact sports, you need to wear a sports mouthguard to protect your teeth from injury and prevent future restorative dental work. Dr. Jim Lassiter is a dentist in Jay, Florida that provides custom sports mouthguards to his patients. Dr. Lassiter and his team are passionate about giving their patients methods of improving and protecting their smiles.
Benefits of Mouthguards
There are many benefits that patients receive when wearing a well-fitting mouthguard:
- Reduce the risk of knocked out teeth
- Allow the wearer to speak clearly
- Reduce the chance of contact sports-related concussions
- Protect the lower jaw from trauma
- Reduce stress on the neck
- Help minimize the risk of chipped and damaged teeth
- Minimize the risk of bruising and injury to the soft tissues in the mouth
A custom-fit mouthguard is a general dental treatment that ensures that teeth are protected at all times. Over-the-counter mouthguards are often uncomfortable and can easily fall out. They may also interfere with breathing and speaking.
Treatment with Mouthguards
Creating a custom-designed mouthguard requires a few visits to our Jay, FL dental office. During your appointment, Dr. will take molds of your teeth. Using these molds, the mouthguard will be fabricated in a lab. When it is complete, Dr. Lassiter will check the size and fit on your mouthguard to ensure it is secure.
Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard can reduce your risk of permanent injury to your teeth and jaw and even tooth loss. A preventative measure like a mouthguard saves money in the long run and can even reduce the chance of injury or concussion. Over-the-counter mouth guards that are not custom-fit can easily fall out and may interfere with breathing and speaking. They also may not be as comfortable as custom professional mouth guards.
Although they can last three to five years, mouthguards should be replaced each year to make sure they fit properly each sports season. The general breakdown from repeated use may alter the fit of the mouth guard. Your mouthguard should fit securely to your teeth without the need to bite or clench the mouth guard. If your mouthguard does not fit properly, it can fall out, so it is important to make sure that it fits correctly.
Request a Consultation
Call our office today at 850.427.5891 or schedule an appointment with our dental specialists today.