At the dental office of Ralph W. Besho, DMD, PA, we understand how important it is for athletes to protect their teeth from sports-related injuries. That is why we offer high-quality, custom-fitted mouth guards for adults and children in East Brunswick.

Also called mouth protectors and sports guards, mouth guards are dental appliances worn over the teeth while playing sports or engaging in physical activities. Made for durable and tear-resistant material, mouth guards absorb the force from blows to the face, contact between players, hard falls and other accidents. Our dentist also recommends wearing mouth guards if you have braces, crowns, bridges or other fragile dental work.

Athletes wear mouth guards to prevent sports-related injuries to their mouths, lips and teeth. Common injuries include cracked teeth, broken teeth, tooth root fracture or lacerations on your lips or inside of your cheeks. Mouth guards have also been known to reduce the chance of serious injuries, such as knocked out teeth, broken jaws and concussions.

There are three types of mouth guards available, including:

• Stock mouth guards: These pre-formed mouth protectors are found at sporting goods stores and major retailers. While inexpensive, stock mouth guards are often bulky and uncomfortable. They can also slip during use, which can impact your breathing or speech.
• Boil and bite mouth guards: These mouth protectors are customizable for a better fit. Simply boil the guard in hot water to soften it before inserting it into your mouth. Biting down on the guard will force the material to form to the contours of your mouth.
• Custom-made mouth guards: A custom-fitted mouth guard is made to your unique specifications, based off of detailed impressions of your teeth and designed in a dental laboratory.

Our dentist recommends a properly fitted mouth guard from our office for the best performance. While stock and bite and bite guards offer some protection, an effective mouth guard should be comfortable and form-fitting. A mouth guard from our office will protect your teeth without impeding your breathing or speech, allowing you to compete with confidence.