What Are Mouth Guards?
Sports can be a great way to maintain your physical and mental health, but they may also put your smile at risk of chips, fractures, and dental injuries. If you or a member of your family regularly participates in sports or other high-impact activities, our team at Dr. Anna Pavlotsky Family & Cosmetic Dentistry strongly recommends wearing a custom-made mouth guard to shield the teeth, gums, and jawbone from accidents that could happen during physical contact. Unlike generic mouth guards purchased at the store, our custom mouth guards are crafted and fit for each patient to provide better comfort and effectiveness. Help your family protect their smiles while staying active by learning more about custom-made mouth guards offered at our Warwick, RI practice.
How Do Custom Mouth Guards Work?
To create a custom guard, our team at Dr. Anna Pavlotsky Family & Cosmetic Dentistry will take detailed impressions or digital scans of your teeth. These measurements will be sent to a dental laboratory and used to create an appliance that fits the contours of your mouth. When your mouth guard is ready, we'll have you try it on and check the fit. We'll make adjustments if necessary and show you how to insert, remove, clean, and store it properly. If you have braces, we'll also explain how the guard may need to be monitored or adjusted as your teeth move during orthodontic treatment.
What Are the Benefits of Mouth Guards?
A mouth guard can be especially important for children and teens participating in contact sports, but adults can benefit from them as well. Whether you're a parent who wants to support your child's smile or an adult looking to protect yourself from injury, our custom mouth guards offer a variety of benefits, including:
- Protecting teeth from chips, fractures, and other impact-related injuries
- Cushioning the teeth during contact and accidental impact
- Reducing the risk of injuries to the lips, cheeks, and tongue
- Providing a secure, comfortable fit during physical activity
- Allowing patients to feel more confident while participating in sports and recreational activities
- Preserving your smile by helping prevent avoidable dental injuries
Dr. Anna Pavlotsky Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Reviews
Dr. Pavlotski has been my families dentist over 25 years. She is very efficient and I have never had a bad experience what so ever!
New Dentist and the best I've had - Dr. Pavlotsky, the dental hygienist & receptionist were all incredibly kind & professional. They made me feel at ease & I can actually say I had a very pleasant & even enjoyable experience. As a woman recovering from a long term eating disorder, I've always had fear &anxiety to the point of tears when visiting dentist, but all of that washed away the moment I met Dr. Pavlotsky. She was kind, patient, understanding, and gave me advice as well as words of comfort. She asked all the right questions & let me voice my concerns & share my story. I felt at ease & at peace for the 1st time in my adult life, at 38 yrs old, sitting in a dentist chair! I am very happy to be a new patient and I look forward to remaining a patient there. Absolutely the best dentist practice I've been to. 5 starts and more!!
Always available, alway attentive, always helpful, great work, love them
Excellent Dentist, restored my earlier damaged crown beautifully. Also a lovely lady with an amazing comedic style…She could moonlight as a stand up comedian…
Dr. Pavlotsky and her staff are wonderful! Thank you for taking care of my filling.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mouth Guards
How do I clean my mouth guard?
Rinse your mouth guard with cool or lukewarm water after each use and gently brush it with a soft toothbrush. You can use mild soap or a cleaning product specifically made for dental appliances if recommended by our team. Let the mouth guard dry completely before storing it in a ventilated case.
How long do mouth guards last?
A custom mouth guard can last for several years with proper care, but its lifespan will depend on how frequently you use it and how much wear it experiences. Inspect your mouth guard regularly for cracks, tears, thinning, or changes in its fit. If it becomes damaged or no longer fits comfortably, it's time to have it evaluated. Children and teens may also need a new guard as their teeth and jaws grow or as orthodontic treatment changes their bite.
What’s the difference between a mouth guard and a day guard?
Although both appliances are worn during the day, they serve different purposes. A mouth guard is designed primarily to protect your teeth from physical impact during sports and other activities. A day guard, on the other hand, is designed to protect against teeth grinding and clenching while you're awake. Wearing the right appliance is important for protecting your smile.
Why should I get a custom-made mouth guard?
Store-bought mouth guards are available in standard sizes and shapes, so they may not fit your mouth as securely or comfortably as a custom appliance. A poorly fitting guard can feel bulky, become loose during activity, or make it difficult to speak and breathe comfortably. Custom mouth guards at Dr. Anna Pavlotsky Family & Cosmetic Dentistry are made using measurements of your own teeth and mouth, allowing us to create a more precise fit.
Can I wear a mouth guard if I have braces?
Yes — in fact, we strongly recommend that patients with braces wear mouth guards during sports to protect their teeth and oral appliance from damage. We'll recommend a mouth guard designed to accommodate your braces and allow room for your teeth to move. As your orthodontic treatment progresses, the guard may need to be checked or replaced to maintain a proper fit.
Protect Your Smile While You Play
A dental injury can happen in a moment, but the effects can last much longer. A properly fitted mouth guard gives you an added layer of protection when you're playing sports, practicing, or participating in activities where your teeth could be exposed to impact. At Dr. Anna Pavlotsky Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we create custom mouth guards with each patient's comfort, activity, and dental needs in mind. Visit our Warwick, RI family dental practice to find out how a custom mouth guard can help you stay active while protecting your smile.