Our teeth are remarkably strong and durable. But they’re not indestructible. Sports like football, basketball and hockey — along with other activities such as skateboarding, mountain biking and many more — can result in an injury to your mouth and teeth. These types of injuries can wreak havoc with your oral health, and can sometimes be difficult and costly to repair. That’s why mouthguards and sportguards can be such a benefit for active people of all ages. Dr. Reddy is pleased to provide these protective devices to her patients at her Hutto, TX, office.

Important Information about Mouthguards & Sportsguards

Mouthguards and sportsguards are designed to protect a person’s teeth and mouth from injury that can come as a result of a fall or other type of impact. Although mouthguards usually cover only the upper teeth, devices that protect the bottom teeth are also available. Generally speaking, there are three types of mouthguards and sportguards available:

• Custom-made: Any type of mouthguard that is custom-made for the wearer will almost always be more comfortable to wear. Dr. Reddy can make an impression of your teeth right here in our office, then use that impression to create a mouthguard specifically designed for your teeth. Custom mouth and sportsguards usually provide the highest level of protection.
• “Off-the-shelf” stock mouthguards: This type of guard is a prefabricated, “one-size-fits-all” device. While they do offer some limited amount of protection, they are often quite uncomfortable to wear and can make it difficult to speak clearly.
• “Boil and bite” mouthguards: This type of guard is available at many sporting goods stores. They consist of a pre-formed piece of plastic that can be boiled in water, then bitten into by the wearer to create a more custom fit. They do offer some protection, and are generally a better choice than stock mouthguards.

Whichever type of mouthguard you choose, it’s important to remember that mouthguards and sportsguards should be replaced periodically as they provide less protection after they’re worn for a certain period of time.