We love how athletic our patients are! With our patients playing sports daily, accidents can and do occur. Luckily, there are precautions that can be taken to help reduce injuries. The item we are going to talk about today for reducing injuries is mouthguards!

Mouthguards have been around for more than 100 years! Some of the earliest known mouthguards were for boxers. Throughout time, mouthguards have evolved and still to this day they continue to improve.

A common question that many patients from our Scottsdale Orthodontist office ask Dr. Bader is, “What kind of mouthguard should I use for my __________ (insert sport here).” Many of our patients have told Dr. Bader that there are so many options; they aren’t sure which is the best for them when going through orthodontic treatment.

From Dr. Bader’s experience he recommends buying a mouthguard that fits over the upper teeth. He doesn’t recommend a double braces mouthguard (unless you’re boxing, doing karate, or wrestling), because it will be hard to talk and communicate!

What is usually best is a simple upper mouthguard that you can heat up and mold. With your teeth gradually moving, you can always re-mold the mouthguard after a few months if it no longer fits like it used to! These can be found at your local sporting goods store. Molding a mouthguard will help it stay in place, and will allow it to fit more comfortably.

Did you know? – The main reason for a mouthguard is to prevent (or reduce the risk) of concussions.

Make sure you check with your coach to see if your sport requires a double brace mouthguard. Best of luck in your season!

If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Bader or our office at 480-661-1818.