Athletic mouth guards in Germantown, TN, can help protect your teeth, gums and other oral tissues from injury during sports and physical activity. At Person & Darlington Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, our dentists provide custom sports guards designed to fit securely and comfortably while helping reduce the risk of dental trauma.
A custom mouth guard may be especially helpful for athletes who participate in contact or collision sports, but many recreational and competitive athletes can benefit from added protection.
To learn more about custom sports guards, call Person & Darlington Family and Cosmetic Dentistry at 901-681-0777 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Patrick Person or Dr. Baker Darlington.
What Is an Athletic Mouth Guard?
An athletic mouth guard, also called a sports guard, is a protective oral appliance worn over the teeth during sports and other physical activities.
The goal is to help cushion the teeth and surrounding tissues against impacts that could lead to chipped, fractured or knocked-out teeth, as well as injuries to the lips, cheeks, tongue and gums.
Custom athletic mouth guards are made specifically for your mouth, which can provide a more secure and comfortable fit than many over-the-counter options.
Who Should Wear a Sports Mouth Guard?
Athletic mouth guards are commonly recommended for contact and collision sports, but they may also be useful in activities where there is a risk of falls, impact or contact with equipment or other players.
Sports and activities where a mouth guard may be beneficial include:
- Football
- Basketball
- Baseball and softball
- Soccer
- Hockey
- Wrestling
- Rugby
- Lacrosse
- Martial arts
- Skateboarding
- Mountain biking
- Other recreational or competitive sports with impact risk
Our dentists can help you decide whether a custom sports guard fits your activity level and dental needs.
Benefits of a Custom Athletic Mouth Guard
A custom-made sports guard is designed around the shape of your teeth and bite, which can improve comfort and stability during activity.
Benefits may include:
- Helping protect teeth from chips, cracks and fractures
- Helping reduce the risk of knocked-out teeth
- Protecting lips, cheeks, tongue and gums from some injuries
- A more secure fit than many store-bought mouth guards
- Greater comfort during extended wear
- A design based on your individual teeth and bite
A better fit can also make it easier to keep the appliance in place during movement and athletic activity.
Custom Sports Guards vs. Store-Bought Mouth Guards
Store-bought mouth guards are widely available, but they are not created specifically for your teeth.
A custom athletic mouth guard is made from impressions or digital scans of your mouth and designed to fit your individual smile. This can provide a more personalized fit and reduce the bulkiness or looseness some athletes experience with generic guards.
Our practice can use Primescan digital impressions to capture detailed information about your teeth when creating custom dental appliances.
How Does a Sports Mouth Guard Protect Your Teeth?
During an impact, a mouth guard creates a protective layer over the teeth. This helps distribute force and reduce direct contact between the teeth and external objects.
It can also help limit tooth-to-tooth contact during impact and protect the soft tissues of the mouth from being cut against the teeth.
Although no mouth guard can prevent every dental injury, wearing one can provide an important layer of protection during sports and physical activity.
What Happens When You Get a Custom Athletic Mouth Guard?
The process begins with an examination of your teeth and bite. Our dentists will review the type of sport or activity you participate in and discuss your protection needs.
The process may include:
- Dental evaluation: We examine your teeth, bite and any existing dental work.
- Digital impressions: A detailed scan or impression is taken of your teeth.
- Appliance fabrication: Your sports guard is created to fit your mouth.
- Fit check: Our dentists evaluates the fit and makes adjustments if needed.
- Care instructions: We explain how to clean, store and use your mouth guard properly.
Athletic Mouth Guards for Teens and Growing Athletes
Sports guards can be especially important for children and teenagers who participate in organized athletics.
Because growing patients may experience changes in tooth position and jaw development, the fit of a mouth guard should be checked periodically. A new appliance may be needed as the teeth and bite change.
Our dentists can monitor fit during routine dental exams and let you know when replacement may be needed.
Protecting Dental Work During Sports
Athletes with existing dental restorations may have even more reason to protect their teeth during physical activity.
Dental work such as dental crowns, fillings, bonding or veneers can be damaged by impact just like natural teeth.
A custom sports guard may help reduce the risk of damage to both natural teeth and existing dental work.
What Should I Do if a Tooth Is Injured During Sports?
If you experience a dental injury while playing sports, contact our office as soon as possible. Chipped, fractured or displaced teeth should be evaluated promptly so our dentists can determine what treatment is needed.
In some situations, treatment may involve restorative dentistry. If a tooth cannot be saved, our team can also discuss replacement options after the area has been evaluated.
How Do I Care for an Athletic Mouth Guard?
Proper care can help keep your mouth guard clean and maintain its fit.
We recommend:
- Rinsing the mouth guard after each use
- Cleaning it as directed
- Allowing it to dry before storage
- Keeping it in a ventilated protective case
- Avoiding hot water that could distort the material
- Checking it regularly for cracks, wear or changes in fit
- Bringing it to dental visits so we can inspect its condition
If the mouth guard becomes loose, damaged or uncomfortable, contact Person & Darlington Family and Cosmetic Dentistry so our team can evaluate whether it should be adjusted or replaced.
Experienced Care for Custom Sports Guards
Dr. Person has more than 37 years of experience providing comprehensive dental care and has completed approximately 2,000 night guard, TMJ and occlusal appliance cases during his career. That experience with custom oral appliances supports careful evaluation of fit, bite and tooth protection.
Dr. Darlington has provided custom oral appliance care since beginning his dental career in 2022 and works with digital scanning technology when planning personalized dental treatment.
Together, our dentists focus on creating custom mouth guards that fit comfortably and help protect your smile during the activities you enjoy.
Schedule an Athletic Mouth Guard Consultation in Germantown, TN
If you or your child participates in sports, a custom mouth guard may provide valuable protection against dental injuries.
Call Person & Darlington Family and Cosmetic Dentistry at 901-681-0777 to schedule an appointment with our dentists and learn more about athletic mouth guards in Germantown, TN.
Frequently Asked Questions About Athletic Mouth Guards
What is an athletic mouth guard?
An athletic mouth guard is a protective appliance worn over the teeth during sports and physical activity. It helps reduce the risk of chipped, fractured or knocked-out teeth and can also protect soft tissues inside the mouth.
Who should wear a sports mouth guard?
A mouth guard may be helpful for anyone participating in a sport or activity with a risk of impact, falls or contact with other players or equipment.
Are custom mouth guards better than store-bought guards?
Custom mouth guards are made specifically for your teeth and bite, which can provide a more secure and comfortable fit than many generic or boil-and-bite options.
Can a sports mouth guard protect dental crowns or veneers?
Yes. A custom mouth guard can help protect both natural teeth and existing dental work from impact during athletic activity.
How often should an athletic mouth guard be replaced?
Replacement depends on wear, changes in your bite and growth. Children and teens may need new guards more often as their teeth and jaws develop.
Can I wear a sports mouth guard with braces or clear aligners?
Protective options depend on the type of orthodontic treatment you are receiving. Our dentists can evaluate your teeth and recommend a mouth guard option that fits your current treatment.
What should I do if I chip or knock out a tooth during sports?
Contact our office as soon as possible for an evaluation. Prompt dental care can help determine whether the tooth can be repaired or whether additional treatment is needed.
Where can I get a custom athletic mouth guard in Germantown, TN?
Our dentists at Person & Darlington Family and Cosmetic Dentistry provide custom sports guards designed around your teeth and bite. Call 901-681-0777 to schedule an appointment.
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