As a parent of a teen who plays sports, preventing injuries remains a top concern. And while there are injury risks associated with any sport, especially contact sports such as football, one of the best ways to help your child stay safe on the field is with a custom mouthguard. Here, learn why a mouthguard created by your family dentist is beneficial.

Why Choose a Custom Mouthguard From Your Dentist?

1. Protects Teeth From Fractures

A custom mouthguard is molded to accommodate the wearer’s teeth and face shape to create a comfortable barrier between the teeth and exterior forces. It provides an effective shield against tooth chips, fractures, and full breaks to keep your child’s smile intact. The product also protects the teeth from tooth nerve damage that causes painful sensitivity issues.

2. Protects Against Concussions

Tasteless, odorless custom mouthguards from family dentists help lessen if not avoid concussions. Depending on the force of the impact against the mouth, the upper and lower jaw can make violent contact that causes the brain to move within the skull. Mouthguards subsequently protect your teen from concussion symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, ear ringing, and double vision by redistributing the impact’s force.

3. Protects the Lower Jaw From Bone Damage

Forceful impacts can cause the lower jawbone to fracture and result in bone damage. A custom mouthguard keeps the jaw cushioned to prevent broken jaw problems that require wiring the teeth together or surgery involving screws and plates depending on where the injury occurred. Plates and screws keep the bone together for healing purposes.

4. Protects the Lips, Cheeks, Tongue & Gums From Cuts & Bruises

Your teen’s customized mouthguard helps the young one avoid bruises and cuts on the lips, cheeks, tongue, and gums. A football that hits an unprotected mouth, for example, causes the lips to smash against the gums, resulting in painful bruising. If the ball or anything else hits the cheeks, the teeth can hit the soft tissue, cutting it. If the teeth come together, they can cut and bruise the tongue. 

Rely on Susan Kleier, DMD, to craft a mouthguard that suits your teen exactly. The family dentist has provided affordable mouthguards and other services to residents throughout Lexington, KY, for 25 years, including teeth cleanings, extractions, and veneers. Call (859) 225-1188 to make an appointment or learn more about the family dentist online. Get additional tips to keep your mouth healthy on Facebook.