Why Custom Fabricated Sports Mouthguards?

According to the American Dental Association, more than 200,000 oral injuries are prevented annually in the United States by sports mouthguards. Unfortunately, the National Youth Sports Foundation estimates that more than 5 million teeth will be knocked out in sporting activities this year. These oral traumas will happen to children, high school and college level athletes. In fact, dental injuries are the most common type of orofacial injury sustained during participation in sports.

Dental injuries could be significantly reduced if children, teenagers, and adults wore custom fabricated mouthguards while involved in such activities as football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, rollerblading, skateboarding, martial arts, boxing, hockey, kickboxing, and mountain biking. 

Not All Sports Mouthguards Are Created Equal

Comparing dentist-fitted multi-laminated sports mouthguards with stock or “boil and bite” type
mouthguards, typically found in sporting goods stores, reveals significant differences. “Boil and bite” type mouthguards do not fit as accurately as custom fabricated types, so they often go unworn because they’re uncomfortable and frequently interfere with the athlete’s breathing and speaking ability. They may also give a false sense of protection due to the dramatic decrease in thickness when the athlete bites it into place during its softened state. Custom fitted mouthguards, however, have been shown to be far more effective than those offered in sporting goods stores.