With sports being in full swing, it is important to keep your braces safe during games and practices. One way to do this is by using a mouthguard which can be worn with braces. In fact, Dr. Michael Payne of American River Orthodontics recommends that you wear a mouthguard so that your braces stay protected. American River Orthodontics is here to help patients who have braces and play a sport near Sactown, CA manage both so that they can be focused on the game at the same time as staying on track with their treatment.
What do mouthguards do?
Before getting into the specifics, Dr. Michael Payne believes it is important for all patients to know exactly what mouthguards do and why they are important. Many sports including football, lacrosse, and ice hockey all require mouthguards because they help keep the players teeth and mouth safe during a game or practice. While some sports may get rough, mouthguards help players from chipping or losing teeth. When a patient has braces, mouthguards are even more important so the braces stay intact and do not break.
What are the different type of mouthguards available for those with braces?
There are three main kinds of mouthguards which all can be used by patients with braces near Sactown, CA. These three kinds of mouthguards are:
- Stock Mouthguards: Stock mouthguards are inexpensive, come ready to wear, and can be bought at most sporting goods stores near Sactown, CA. They are one, uniform fit and therefore cannot be adjusted or changed easily. Because of this, some patients find them bulky and find that it makes talking and breathing difficult. Out of these three mouthguards, stock mouthguards offer the least amount of protection for patient’s teeth and braces.
- Boil and Bite Mouthguards: Boil and bite mouthguards are mouthguards which mold to the player’s teeth. To customize them, a patient would need to boil the mouthguard in hot water which softens the thermoplastic material and allows a patient to bite down and mold it to perfectly fit their teeth and braces. Boil and bite mouthguards can also be found at most sporting goods stores near Sactown, CA and although they are a little more expensive than stock mouthguards, are not overly expensive.
- Orthodontic Mouthguards: Orthodontic mouthguards are mouth guards which are sold by orthodontists, like Dr. Michael Payne. These are the most expensive mouthguards however are customized to fit and protect those with braces. Therefore, orthodontic mouthguards offer the most comfort and protection out of these three.
No matter what mouthguard you choose, Dr. Michael Payne and American River Orthodontics wants to make sure that your teeth and braces are fully protected during sports games and practices. It is not only important to practice and try your best on the field or court, but to also make sure your braces are protected from any possible injuries. For more information on mouthguards or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Payne, please call American River Orthodontics near Sactown, CA today at 916.486.4233!nn1