Sports Mouthguards in San Jose

At Dennis Baik, DDS, we provide sports mouthguards in San Jose, CA, to help protect your teeth during athletic events. You only get one set of permanent teeth, making it critical to take the steps necessary to preserve them. Whether you are a professional athlete or playing sports for recreation, you can benefit immensely from sports mouthguards.
What are Sports Mouthguards?
Sports mouthguards are dental equipment that shields teeth from blows to the head and face. Made from medical-grade plastic, these devices are important for individuals who play sports that involve body contact, falls, or flying objects. They can protect teeth and gums from injuries like fractures, cuts, and broken teeth.
Sports mouthguards are usually worn across the top teeth. However, if you have braces, dental bridges, or dentures, you can also wear them on your lower teeth.
Types of Sports Mouthguards
Remember that healthy teeth can still be damaged, which is where a sports mouthguard can be helpful. There are several types of athletic mouthguards that you can wear to protect yourself from a sports-related dental injury:
- Stock – This is an affordable sports mouthguard you can purchase at the drugstore. However, there is always a risk that it will become loose and slip out of place when you need it most.
- Boil-and-bite – A kit that requires you to boil the guard and then fit it to your teeth. This, too, can be amateurish in how well it fits simply because it was not professionally created.
- Custom mouthguards are the best type of mouthguard for athletes. At Dennis Baik, DDS, Dr. Baik will take measurements and make an impression on your mouth. This way, a mouthguard can be created in the lab to the exact specifications of your teeth. When you wear a custom mouthguard, we are confident that your teeth will be protected from most dental injuries when playing sports.
What Do Custom Mouthguards Look Like?
Many patients are interested in athletic mouthguards in San Jose but are unsure whether they are comfortable with the appearance of one. This is perfectly natural since most people do not want to stand out as the one wearing too much protective gear. Fortunately, our sports mouthguards are created using clear plastic to blend into the background. If you put it in when no one is looking, it is unlikely that anyone will notice your mouthguard during practice or the game.
The ones sold at the store are often brightly colored, and since they do not fit perfectly, they can come loose during play, making them stand out even more. However, if you or your child would prefer a brightly colored sports mouthguard, we can discuss creating one in the right size.
Benefits of Sports Mouthguards
Mouthguards are necessary when practicing or playing sports to prevent mouth injuries. Most people (especially adults) do not realize how common it is to sustain a face or mouth injury during a sports game. While certain sports, like football, are notorious for requiring players to wear sports mouthguards, others, like basketball, are not. As a result, basketball players have a high rate of injury.
In fact, according to the American Dental Association, the risk of sustaining an injury is 1.6 to 1.9 times higher when not wearing a mouth guard. Mouthguards are so effective at preventing injuries that the ADA estimates 200,000 are prevented yearly by wearing this small and simple device.
What is the Risk of Not Wearing a Mouthguard?
At Dennis Baik, DDS, we encourage patients to wear a sports mouthguard and parents to buy one for their children if they play sports. This can be organized sports or the weekly basketball game in the park. Not wearing a mouth guard can cause your tooth to break, crack, chip, or even become knocked out when a runaway ball hits your face or an elbow jab comes your way.
If the impact is particularly strong, a tooth could be forced upwards into the gums or pierce through the cheek or lips—all of which can be incredibly uncomfortable and lead to a dental emergency.
Why Have Sports Mouthguards Created by a Dentist?
Once you have decided to protect yourself, the best thing to do is to schedule an appointment with our San Jose, CA, dental office. That’s because a custom sports mouthguard created by our dentist offers the best protection, fit, and comfort for your mouth.
We can create a device made to your exact specifications so that it will remain in place no matter how fast you run, jump, or hit the ball. Playing sports can be rough and require all of your energy. You need a mouthguard that can meet those demands.
Are They Affordable?
Yes! When you visit Dennis Baik, DDS, for sports mouthguards, we can create one that fits perfectly and is affordable for your family. While you will pay more than what you would pay for an off-the-shelf guard, you will be getting better quality and a better fit at the same time. The difference is certainly worth it in terms of protecting your teeth and saving money down the road.
How Do You Clean Sports Mouthguards?
We recommend taking them out and rinsing them immediately after you wear them. You should keep your mouthguard in a safe case, and then when you are home, brush it with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water. This is the best way to ensure plaque does not build up on it.
You should not use toothpaste since the paste can be abrasive. If you would prefer a special cleaning solution, let us know, and we will recommend what is available on the market at that time.
Safeguard Your Smile During Play
Dennis Baik, DDS, is the best place to go for custom sports mouthguards in San Jose, CA. Our professionally crafted mouthguards offer optimal dental safety and comfort while engaging in any athletic event. Visit our practice to get the best protective gear against mouth injuries.