The Natinal Youth Sports Foundation for safety reports that an athlete is 60 times more likely to sustain damage to teeth when not wearing a protective mouth guard. Even with dental insurance, these injuries could incur thousands of dollars to repair and maintain. Unfortunately, not all mouth guards are created equal.  Do you or your athlete have the best possible protection against this type of injury?

The most evident reason to wear a mouth guard is to protect the teeth and soft tissues of the mouth.  However, the #1 reason to wear a mouth guard is to protect the brain from a blow to the chin.  Even if you don't play a sport like tackle football, concussions can occur when the athlete sustains a collision with another player or is hit by athletic equipment. Over-the-counter, or stock mouth guards, offer some protection but cannot compare to a custom made guard by a dental professional. 

Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guard after just a few uses.

Most people purchase an over the counter mouth guard such as the boil-and-bite, or a stock mouth guard.  These are made from thin plastic that is easily bitten through after just a few uses.  The only way to keep them in the mouth is by constantly biting down on them which stresses the muscles in the head and neck.  They make it difficult for the athlete to talk or breath, and must be taken out repeadily to drink water.

Custom mouth guard made from the cast of an athlete's mouth

A custom made mouth guard is made of thicker more durable material.  Because it is an identical replica of the athlete's mouth, the athlete can enjoy a more comfortable fit. The athlete can speak and drink water without taking the mouth guard out.  The addition of power bite pads also allows the athele to breath easier.  And every athlete knows, the more oxygen you can take in the better your performance is going to be!