Don’t Find Your Teeth Off Guard
April is National Facial Protection Month, and at Farmington Valley Orthodontics, we’re getting the word out about the importance of mouthguards in contact sports. Football, soccer, hockey, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey are just some of the most obvious high impact sports. Last year, the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation estimated that more than 3 million teeth would be knocked out in youth sporting events. Many accidents involving the teeth and jaws can be prevented by simply wearing a mouthguard. Coaches and parents can play a large role by helping make these mandatory. Along with helmets, eyewear, and other protective gear, mouthguards minimize the severity and frequency of injury. They are relatively inexpensive when compared to the thousands of dollars that an injury to the mouth can cost over a lifetime.
Mouthguard Types
Mouthguard styles range from stock to semi-custom to fully custom. Stock mouthguards are a one-size fits all and are the least expensive, however, they also offer the least amount of protection. Semi-custom mouthguards include the boil and bite kind that can be molded to the teeth. They have some customizability but are not 100% well-adapted to the teeth and jaw. The highest quality mouthguard, offering the most protection, is the fully custom mouthguard made from an impression of the teeth. Custom mouthguards are the most comfortable because they’re made to fit the individual’s teeth and jaw. Because they’re custom and can be made in a thicker material for more absorption on impact, they also offer the most protection. Athletes note that they’re able to breathe better with custom mouthguards and that they stay in by themselves, without having to keep their mouth closed or stay clenched.
Free Custom Mouthguards
Farmington Valley Orthodontics in Avon, Connecticut is committed to keeping athletes safe and educating coaches and parents on the importance of mouthguard use. We are teaming up with area sports leagues and organizations to spread the word about our mouthguard campaign. We are pleased to announce that we provide a free customized mouthguard with every new patient exam (1st grade-8th grade) in an effort to support youth athletes in our community.