Reduce Sports Injuries With Mouth Guards in Minneapolis & Minnetonka, MN

Playing on a sports team is a staple of any childhood, from little league baseball to college football. Regardless of the sport, players will benefit from wearing the proper protection such as shin guards, shoulder pads, helmets, cleats, and mouth guards. While most sports go over the necessary gear that the child will need to wear to each game, they may not require mouth guards. With that in mind, mouth guards can be the deciding factor that saves a child’s teeth.

Risks of Store-Bought Mouth Guards

While many parents will invest in a store-bought mouth guard, they may not realize the risk. The mouth guard will not be a perfect fit for the child’s teeth with store-bought mouth guards. Due to the improper fit, a child will face a greater risk of damaging their teeth during the sport or game. A professional mouth guard will be a perfect fit for the child’s teeth that will not risk falling out during the game.

Several reasons why a professional mouth guard will be much better than a store-bought brand over the counter include:

• Less of a chance for the mouth guard falling out regularly
• The mouth guard will be a comfortable fit for the child
• Better and more efficient protection for the teeth
• Made with a more durable yet still completely harmless material

The Mouth Guard Process

The process for a mouth guard is harmless and does not normally take more than two appointments. We will also take a mold of the child’s mouth and images during the first appointment. Next, we will send the measurements and mold to a dental lab to custom-make the mouth guard. The child will return to our office once the mouth guard is complete. We will see if the mouth guard fits and make any necessary adjustments. After the appointment, the child will have the necessary protection to help keep their teeth safe during physical activities.

Definition of Family Dental Terminology

Custom Impression

Custom impression involves using trays to create a replica of the patient’s teeth before creating the necessary restoration to enhance the overall experience.

Injection-Molded Mouthguards

Injection-Molded Mouthguards help create a much more specific fit with a molding material that fills available space instead of requiring a patient to boil the mouthguard in hot water.

Mandible Fracture

A mandible fracture is a fracture in the lower jaw that breaks through the mandibular bone and is normally a result of trauma.

Occlusion

Occlusion describes the mandibular and maxillary rows of teeth that meet when the patient bites down. If a patient does not have a healthy bite, they struggle with malocclusion.

Storage Modulus

The storage modulus is the temperature at which we can store certain elastic materials in dental composite resins.

Dentist

A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.

Laminated Pressure-Formed Mouthguards

Laminated pressure-formed mouthguards require a process that involves applying high heat and pressure to form a mouthguard that meets the patient’s needs.

Oral Trauma

Oral trauma in any form of trauma or force that results in an injury of the mouth or teeth. Oral trauma can occur after an accident, injury, or disease.

Overjet

An overjet is a bite orientation that results from the maxillary central incisors (top center teeth) protruding over the mandibular central incisors (bottom front teeth); this may also be known as “buck teeth” by patients.

Vacuum Formed Mouthguard

A vacuum-formed mouthguard involves customizing the mouthguard to match a mold of the individual patient’s teeth for a perfect fit.