Protect Your Smile this Winter with a Mouthguard

 The days are short now and it's cold outside. But just because it's snowy outside doesn't mean you want to sit inside until the end of April. Outdoor winter sports and activities are calling so get outside and have some fun! Just make sure you're being safe. You can sustain oral, dental or head injuries while playing in the snow.

Trauma Protection

 Whether somebody is skiing, snowboarding, skating or playing hockey,   mouth guards offer protection for the teeth and jaw by cushioning trauma to the face and minimizing the risk of chipped, broken or lost teeth. They also can protect your lips, gums and cheeks. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation (NYSSF), athletes who don't use mouth guards are 60 times more likely to suffer a dental injury. Those who are wearing braces or have bridge work want to pay particular attention to protecting their mouths. You can find mouth guards at your local sporting goods store or online.

Custom-Fitted Mouth Guards

 If you want to take extra care of your teeth, consider investing in a custom-fitted mouth guard, which is tailored to a patient's particular jaw and teeth bite. The protection these mouth guards offer is far superior to that of standard over-the-counter mouth guards. A custom-fitted mouth guard of proper density and composition separates the lower jaw from the upper jaw. Custom mouth guards are going to be more comfortable, and the user can breathe and speak without any impediments. The same cannot be true for most over-the-counter mouth guards.  

 The NYSSF estimates that lifetime dental costs for knocked out teeth can be between $10,000 and $20,000 per tooth. Eliminate the emotional burden, the  physical pain and the expense of replacing teeth that might be lost in a winter activity by seeing us at Great Lakes Dental Arts for a state-of-the-art and custom-fitted mouth guard. Just   make an appointment, and we'll take an impression of your teeth. It's completely painless, and you can pick up your custom mouth guard a few days later. It's a small price to pay in comparison to the cost of replacing lost teeth.