Athletic Mouthguards
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Athletic Mouthguards in Denver, CO
If you’re serious about any sport where you might get hit in the face, then mouthguards in Denver are a wise investment. They protect your teeth and jaws from harm and your wallet from expensive bills. At Aspen Dental, we offer athletic mouthguards to protect your or your child’s teeth from any potential dental emergency or trauma.
What is an Athletic Mouthguard?
Athletic mouthguards are essentially protective shields for your teeth. In some sports, they are essential for the upper teeth. Sometimes dentists will recommend them for the lower teeth as well. This is particularly likely if you have dental fittings in your lower jaw.
There are three main types of athletic mouthguards in Denver. These are stock, “boil and bite,” and custom. Stock athletic mouthguards are used “straight from the packet .”They are very affordable but tend to be very uncomfortable. Also, they tend to interfere with the wearer’s ability to talk and breathe. They can even become a safety hazard rather than a help.
“Boil and bite” athletic mouthguards are designed to be slightly customized by the purchaser. If you get this right, they are moderately comfortable to wear. They are, however, nowhere near as relaxed or as effective as custom-made athletic mouthguards fitted by a professional dentist.
Why get an Athletic Mouthguard?
Damage to your teeth and lips can have all kinds of consequences. At a minimum, you can expect to have to take time out of your game. You may even need urgent medical attention as broken teeth can be a choking hazard, and cut lips can bleed extensively.
You’re then looking at the dental treatment, which could end up being very time-consuming as well as very expensive. If your teeth are beyond repair, your dentist will have to fit you with either false teeth or dental implants. You’ll have to wear (and replace) these for the rest of your life.
Investing in an athletic mouthguard in Denver can save you a lot of pain, hassle, and expense. You may even be able to get a new one fitted simultaneously as you have your usual six-month check-up.
What is the Process of Fitting an Athletic Mouthguard?
Firstly, your dentist will create a model of your teeth. If the model is being developed for a young child, your dentist will remove any loose teeth before fitting the model. If you wear braces, your dentist will apply a special wax to ensure that none of the molding clay gets stuck in it.
Secondly, your dentist will stretch the protective material over the model. The traditional way of doing this is to use a vacuum machine. Now, however, many dentists are using a pressure thermo-forming machine. This allows the athletic mouthguard to be built up in layers and offers more robust protection than the traditional approach.
Third, your dentist will ask you to put in the athletic mouthguard and give them feedback on it. It should be a perfect fit, but your dentist can trim the athletic mouthguard for an even more precise fit if you have any issues.
Mouthguards are highly durable and will protect your teeth, but we recommend that you get a new mouthguard every six months. Replacing your mouthguard will ensure that it will be strong enough to protect your teeth.
Athletic mouthguards are one of the best ways to protect your teeth from dental trauma. Please reach out to learn more about each type of mouthguard and for us to help you select the best one for you and your smile. If you need an athletic mouthguard in Denver, CO, call our office today to schedule an appointment.