Custom Mouthguards for Long Island Athletes
Why a custom-fitted mouthguard protects better than a store-bought one, which sports need one, and how we make them in Lake Ronkonkoma.
Dr. Edward J. Filangeri, DDS. Published
Fall sports are in full swing across Long Island, from Friday night football to travel lacrosse and weekend hockey. A hit to the face can chip, crack or knock out a tooth in a second. A mouthguard costs far less than repairing a broken tooth, and a well-fitted one is comfortable enough that players actually wear it.
Who should wear one
Anyone who plays a sport where a fall, a stick, a ball or an elbow can hit the face. That includes football, lacrosse, hockey, soccer, basketball, baseball and softball, wrestling, and martial arts. The American Dental Association recommends mouthguards for these sports and for recreational activities like skateboarding and biking.
Adults count too. Men’s league hockey and pickup basketball cause their share of broken teeth.
Three kinds of mouthguard
Stock guards come ready to wear. They are cheap, but they are bulky, they fit loosely, and players tend to take them out because it is hard to talk and breathe.
Boil-and-bite guards soften in hot water and are shaped by biting into them. They fit better than stock guards, but they are often too thin in the places that matter and get chewed through quickly.
Custom guards are made from an impression or scan of your teeth. They fit snugly, cover the teeth evenly, and stay put without clenching, so players can talk to teammates and breathe normally. That is why they get worn.
Getting a custom mouthguard
It takes a short visit to take an impression or scan, and a second visit to try it on. We make sure it covers the right teeth, sits comfortably and does not interfere with breathing. For children and teens whose mouths are still growing, plan on a new guard every season or two.
If your athlete wears braces, tell us. We will make a guard that fits over the brackets.
Caring for it
- Rinse it after each use and let it dry.
- Keep it in a vented case, away from hot cars and direct sun, which can warp it.
- Bring it to checkups so we can make sure it still fits.
- Replace it if it cracks, gets thin, or feels loose.
If a tooth gets knocked out
Pick it up by the crown, rinse it gently, and try to put it back in the socket. If that is not possible, keep it in milk and call us right away at 631-588-9041. Our dental emergency page has step-by-step instructions.
