Mouthguard Usage

Now that the weather’s hot, Tinley Park residents are having more fun outdoors. But while cycling, skating, or playing sports, it’s important to keep your teeth safe. We know how much effort our patients at Bayberry Dental Care put into maintaining their smiles, which is why we want them to use mouthguards.

When properly fitted, a mouthguard shouldn’t cause difficulty breathing. Sports stores and online retailers offer one-size fits all mouthguards, and these are better than using nothing. However, a more popular option are mouthguards that are softened by boiling and then bitten down on (after cooling somewhat) to perfectly fit the wearer’s teeth. This option is especially appealing to children and people undergoing orthodontic therapy, whose teeth radically shift position in a short amount of time. Boil-and-bite models may be reshaped every month.

Formal sports organizations commonly require participants to wear recently fitted mouthguards. Our office can help you decide whether your current one is providing sufficient protection and is clean enough. Mouthguards need to be cleaned with antibacterial soap after each use and patted dry, as do their containers. They also need to be kept out of extreme heat to avoid accidental warping.

Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171^st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit Bayberry Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.