Mouth Guards in Houston, TX

Mouth guards are important in preventing damage to your smile during sports and physical activities. At Made Ya Smile Dental West 8, we know that sports are a major part of many patients' lives. We are pleased to offer custom athletic mouth guards to protect your teeth and gums when engaging in any type of sporting activities. Patients of all ages can experience the benefits of mouth guard protection. Those who play contact sports, like hockey, football, wrestling, and basketball, are at a higher risk of oral injury due to bumps, slips, and other types of physical trauma. Even non-contact activities, like track and field and weight lifting, may increase the risk of damage due to strain on the teeth and jaw that occurs when you engage in these types of activities. To protect your family's smiles, our general dentist customizes sports mouth guards for children, teens, and adults. A custom mouth protector for sports offers a proper fit and improved comfort compared to over-the-counter options. Wearing this type of protective appliance when participating in sports can minimize the risk of damage to your smile and dental health if you happen to be injured when playing. Get more information on custom mouth guards by scheduling a consultation at our Houston, TX practice today.

A custom-fit athletic mouth guard from an experienced dentist can reduce the chance of your smile being damaged by protecting your gums, teeth, and dental restorations. Though the boil-and-bite type of mouth guards available over-the-counter at drugstores or sporting goods stores may be tempting to try, they are often bulky and lack a proper fit and can leave your mouth at risk. Professional custom-made mouth guards from our team are made of better-quality materials and are crafted to fit your unique oral features. A mouth guard should sit comfortably but securely over the upper or lower teeth and cover the gum tissues and outside portions of the teeth to brace against any potential impact. We recommend that all patients, regardless of age, wear an athletic mouth guard when playing contact or non-contact sports or in any physical activity when damage to the teeth and gums might occur.

Sports in which custom mouth guards are commonly worn include but are not limited to:

• Hockey and lacrosse
• Football and soccer
• Basketball and baseball
• Boxing and volleyball
• Martial arts and wrestling
• Weight training and running

While sports mouth guards are important for protecting the teeth and gums, they are also especially important to wear if you have crowns, bridges, dental implants, veneers, or other restorations in your mouth. Sports mouth guards are also highly recommended for patients who wear braces because a minor bump to the mouth could result in significant soft tissue and jaw damage. Some athletic guards may even cover the lips to offer further protection against injury.

To fit you for a custom athletic mouth guard, we will examine your mouth and talk with you about the types of sports you play. Our team will utilize the information we gather during this visit to customize your unique mouth guard to match your needs. Our team will take an impression of your upper and lower teeth, which our dental lab will use to craft your custom guard. Mouth guards are typically made from a durable acrylic or another type of high-quality material and can be personalized in a color of your choice or your favorite sports team's colors. Our lab will make your athletic guard according to our specifications and your dental impressions over the course of about 1 – 2 weeks. We will have you return to our office for a quick visit when your guard is ready. During this time, we will have you try in your mouth guard to make sure it fits securely yet comfortably and let you know the best method to use when caring for it. Please let our team know if, at any time in the future, your guard feels loose or no longer fits properly so that we can make adjustments or have a new appliance made.

We will let you know the proper way to wear your mouth guard. To enjoy the best protection for your smile, it should be worn anytime you play sports. We often see oral injuries that occur when patients do not wear a mouth guard when engaging in physical activities. Our team encourages you and your family members to protect your teeth, gums, and smile with a custom athletic mouth guard. These appliances are easy to wear and keep clean and may serve your needs for a number of years when cared for properly. Storing your guard in a hard plastic case when it is not being worn and cleaning immediately following each use can help to ensure your guard lasts for as long as possible. However, children may need a new mouth guard as their jaw develops and changes shape. Please bring your athletic mouth guard with you to your routine cleaning and exam visits at Made Ya Smile Dental West 8. We will be happy to inspect its fit and make certain it is functioning as it should.

Dental insurance may cover a percentage of your athletic mouth guard. To learn about your coverage specifics, we will review your individual dental plan and calculate personal costs for your appliance. Made Ya Smile Dental West 8 wants all patients to protect their smiles with a custom mouth guard when playing sports. To help make your family's care even more affordable, we accept a range of easy payment options and can provide you with information on dental financing.

Do you or your family members love to play sports? Give your smile the protection of a custom-fitted mouth guard from our team. Mouth guards are very important to wear, whether you are engaging in active or passive sporting activities, and cover your teeth and gums to minimize the risk of damage. Get in touch with our team so that we can help you family choose the best type of athletic guard for your needs. To make your appointment now, contact our friendly team at Made Ya Smile Dental West 8 in Houston, TX.