Mouth Guards
Some of the most common injuries that athletes endure are to your mouth and jaw.
Mouth guards help protect your braces, teeth, lips and cheeks from injury. If you participate in basketball, boxing, hockey, football, lacrosse, racquetball, rugby, volleyball, wrestling or any other contact sport, our orthodontist and team recommend that you wear a mouth guard to help protect your teeth, smile and appliances.
TYPES OF MOUTH GUARDS
There are different types of mouth guards that you can choose at Doswell Orthodontics from according to what is best for you:
- Pre-made or stock mouth guard
We carry Shock Doctor® mouth guards that are made specifically for athletes with braces to protect their braces, teeth, lips and cheeks from injuries. Shock Doctor mouth guards are made of 100% medical-grade silicone and adapt to changes in tooth position as braces are adjusted.
- Custom-made mouth guard from your orthodontist
We offer custom-made mouth guards in Richmond, Virginia, that are specially designed to provide optimal protection against mouth injuries. Our custom mouth guards offer the best protection for your teeth during treatment, because they are customized to your teeth and bite, and the most exciting part is that you can get just about any color you would like!
- “Boil-and-Bite” fitted mouth guard
If you are in braces, you should not use a boil-and-bite mouthguard, because it will prevent the desired tooth movements. These are great options after orthodontic treatment is completed though.
MAINTAINING YOUR MOUTH GUARD
Similar to a retainer, it is important to take care of your mouth guard by keeping it clean and storing it properly in its case when you’re not using it. Dr. Katie Doswell recommends that you replace your mouth guard at the beginning of every new sports season. You should also replace your mouth guard if you notice it has become worn or no longer fits properly.
If you play a contact sport, be sure to ask us about our Shock Doctor® mouth guards and custom mouth guards at your next appointment!