Play It Safe, Protect Your Face

A mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age when it comes to protecting your mouth

Contact and collision sports such as boxing and martial arts are higher-risk sports for the mouth. Any athlete can experience a dental injury in non-contact activities too, such as gymnastics and skating.

Types of Mouthguards

Mouthguards can be custom made for your mouth by your dentist or orthodontist. However, if you can’t afford a custom-made mouthguard, you should still wear a stock mouthguard or a boil-and-bite mouthguard from the drugstore.

Protecting Your Braces

A properly fitted mouthguard may be especially important for people who wear braces. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances. A mouthguard also provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek or lips, which will help you avoid injuries to your gums and cheeks.

If you're an athlete and a patient at Bailey Orthodontics, talk to Dr. Bailey about selecting a mouthguard that will provide the right protection for you. Although some mouthguards only cover the upper teeth, Dr. Bailey may suggest that you use a mouthguard on the lower teeth if you have braces on these teeth.

Also, be sure to remember if you have a retainer or other removable appliance, do not wear it during any contact sports. For more information give us a call at 623-977-0707 or visit our website.