Sports Mouth Guards in Owasso, OK
Custom Athletic Mouth Guards for Maximum Protection and Performance
Whether you’re playing football, basketball, hockey, or any contact sport, protecting your teeth and jaw from injury should be a top priority. At Lexington Dental of Owasso, Dr. Jacob Cary provides custom-fitted sports mouth guards that offer superior protection, comfort, and performance compared to store-bought alternatives. Our dental clinic near you serves athletes with professional-grade mouth guards designed to prevent dental injuries while maintaining optimal breathing and communication during athletic activities.
Don’t risk a dental injury – call Lexington Dental of Owasso at (918) 274-8500 to schedule your custom sports mouth guard fitting today. We provide professional athletic protection for players from Claremore, Tulsa, Collinsville, and throughout the greater Oklahoma area.
Unrivaled Comfort and Education in Every Visit
We redefine the dental experience at Lexington Dental of Owasso by prioritizing your comfort and empowerment— from gentle explanations of your treatment plan to real-time updates that keep you informed and involved. Our state-of-the-art office transforms routine visits into confident, smile-worthy outcomes, with amenities designed to ease anxiety and educate on everything from preventive habits to complex procedures.
Compared to more clinical environments, which highlight tech, we stand out by weaving in comprehensive patient education and a “family farmhouse” vibe that makes even restorative work feel welcoming.
- Anxiety-Free Environment: Soothing updates and comforts to make visits enjoyable.
- Empowered Decision-Making: Full transparency on options, unlike one-size-fits-all consultations.
- Educational Edge: Learn as you heal, setting a higher standard for Owasso’s dental care.
What Are Sports Mouth Guards?
Sports mouth guards are protective dental appliances specifically designed to prevent oral and facial injuries during athletic activities. These custom-fitted devices cover the teeth and gums, absorbing and distributing impact forces that could otherwise cause tooth fractures, jaw injuries, or soft tissue damage. The American Dental Association recommends, “wearing a properly fitted mouthguard to reduce the incidence and severity of oral injury in sporting or recreational activities, particularly activities with significant risk of dental trauma or orofacial injury.”
Unlike generic store-bought guards, professional sports mouth guards are individually crafted to fit each athlete’s unique mouth structure, providing superior protection while allowing for clear speech, easy breathing, and optimal athletic performance. Dr. Cary designs each sports mouth guard using advanced materials and techniques that provide maximum protection without compromising comfort or function during intense physical activity.
The Importance of Athletic Mouth Protection
Dental injuries are a common consequence of sports participation, especially in contact and collision sports. Athletes who do not wear mouthguards are significantly more likely to suffer orofacial trauma—up to 93% more likely in some studies—compared to those who use them. Systematic reviews have found that the prevalence of dental trauma ranges from 48% to 59% in non-users, versus just 7.5% to 7.75% in mouthguard users. These sports-related injuries can range from chipped or broken teeth to complete tooth loss, jaw fractures, and serious soft tissue lacerations.
The financial and emotional cost of sports-related dental injuries can be substantial, often requiring emergency treatment, multiple dental appointments, and expensive restorative procedures. In severe cases, sports-related oral injuries may need root canal treatment, crowns, or even replacement with dental implants, resulting in thousands of dollars in treatment costs and significant time away from sports activities.
Types of Sports Requiring Mouth Guard Protection
Different sports present varying levels of risk for dental injuries, with some requiring mandatory mouth guard use:
High-Risk Contact Sports
Football: Direct contact and collisions make mouth guards essential for preventing tooth loss, jaw fractures, and concussion-related oral injuries during tackles and impacts.- Ice Hockey: Pucks, sticks, and player contact create significant risks for dental trauma, making mouth guards critical for protecting teeth and soft tissues during play.
- Boxing and Martial Arts: Direct strikes to the face and jaw make mouth guards mandatory equipment for preventing tooth loss, jaw injuries, and soft tissue lacerations.
- Wrestling: Close contact and potential falls create risks for dental injuries from opponent contact or impact with mats and equipment.
Moderate-Risk Sports
Basketball: Elbows, balls, and player contact can cause orofacial and dental injuries, particularly during aggressive play under the basket or defensive situations.- Baseball and Softball: Fast-moving balls, bats, and sliding can result in facial and dental trauma, especially for catchers and infielders.
- Soccer: Head balls, player collisions, and falls can cause dental injuries, particularly during corner kicks and goalmouth situations.
- Lacrosse: Sticks, balls, and player contact create multiple opportunities for facial and dental trauma during competitive play.
Individual Sports
- Skateboarding and BMX: Falls and crashes can result in significant facial trauma, making mouth guards important protective equipment for extreme sports participants.
- Gymnastics: Falls from apparatus and floor exercise can cause dental injuries, particularly during learning new skills or high-level competition.
Benefits of Custom Mouth Guards
Professional sports mouth guards provide numerous advantages over store-bought alternatives:
- Superior Protection: Custom guards distribute impact forces more effectively across teeth and jaw structures, providing better protection against fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries.
- Optimal Fit and Comfort: Precise fitting eliminates bulk and movement, allowing athletes to focus on performance rather than adjusting their mouth guard during activity.
- Enhanced Communication: A proper fit allows for clear speech and team communication, essential for coordinated play and safety in team sports.
- Improved Breathing: Custom guards maintain airways and allow for optimal oxygen intake during intense physical activity, supporting athletic performance and endurance.
- Durability and Longevity: Professional-grade materials withstand repeated impacts and daily use throughout athletic seasons without losing protective properties or comfortable fit.
- Retention During Activity: Custom guards stay in place during intense activity, providing consistent protection without the distraction of loose or shifting appliances.
- Professional Customization: Colors, designs, and team logos can be incorporated to match team uniforms or express individual style while maintaining protection.
Who Benefits from Custom Sports Mouth Guards?
- Youth Athletes: Young players whose developing teeth and jaws are particularly vulnerable to injury and may benefit from early protection habits that continue throughout their athletic careers.
- High School and College Athletes: Competitive players participating in contact sports where dental injuries are common and can impact both athletic and academic performance.
- Adult Recreational Players: Weekend warriors and adult league participants who want to protect their teeth during recreational sports activities and avoid costly dental injuries.
- Athletes with Dental Work: Players with dental crowns, veneers, braces, or other dental restorations who need extra protection to prevent damage to expensive dental work.
- Professional and Semi-Professional Athletes: Serious competitors whose careers and livelihoods depend on maintaining peak physical condition and avoiding preventable injuries.
- Coaches and Officials: Sports professionals who may be at risk for dental injuries during practice activities or close proximity to play during games.
The Custom Sports Mouth Guard Process
Initial Consultation and Assessment
- Athletic History Review: Dr. Cary discusses your sport, position, level of play, and specific protection needs to determine the optimal guard design and materials.
- Oral Examination: Comprehensive evaluation of teeth, gums, bite alignment, and any existing dental work that needs protection during athletic activities.
- Risk Assessment: Analysis of injury risks specific to your sport and playing style to customize protection levels and guard features accordingly.
- Design Planning: Discussion of guard options, colors, logos, and special features that meet both protective and personal preference requirements.
Fabrication and Fitting
- Precision Impressions: Detailed impressions of your teeth create an accurate model for crafting a perfectly fitted guard that won’t shift during activity.
- Custom Manufacturing: Professional laboratory fabrication using high-quality materials specifically selected for sports protection and durability requirements.
- Professional Fitting: The completed guard is carefully fitted and adjusted to provide optimal protection, comfort, and function for your specific athletic needs.
- Performance Testing: Dr. Cary evaluates guard fit during simulated athletic movements to confirm proper retention, comfort, and protection before final approval.
Sports Mouth Guard Materials and Design
Different materials and designs offer specific advantages for various sports and athlete preferences:
Material Options
- Multi-Layer Construction: Combines soft inner surfaces for comfort with firmer outer layers for impact absorption, providing both protection and wearability.
- High-Impact Polymers: Advanced materials designed specifically for sports protection that maintain flexibility while absorbing and distributing impact forces effectively.
- Antimicrobial Materials: Special additives prevent bacterial growth and odor formation, maintaining hygiene during extended wear and storage periods.
Design Features
- Anatomical Contouring: Guards shaped to follow natural tooth and gum contours provide superior fit and retention without bulk or interference.
- Strategic Thickness Variation: Different thicknesses in critical areas provide enhanced protection where needed while maintaining comfort and speech clarity.
Proper Care and Maintenance
Maintaining your sports mouth guard protects your investment and promotes oral health:
- Pre and Post-Use Care: Rinse the guard with cool water before and after each use, and brush gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap to remove bacteria and debris. Avoid hot water that can warp the material.
- Proper Storage: Use the provided ventilated case to store your guard when not in use, allowing air circulation to prevent bacterial growth while protecting from damage and contamination.
- Regular Inspection: Check your guard regularly for signs of wear, tears, or rough spots that could indicate replacement needs or cause oral irritation during use.
- Professional Cleaning: Bring your guard to dental cleaning appointments for professional evaluation and deep cleaning, allowing Dr. Cary to assess the condition and recommend maintenance or replacement.
Mouth Guard Safety and Performance
Maximize protection and performance with proper mouth guard use:
- Consistent Wear: Wear your mouth guard during all practices and games, not just competitions, as many injuries occur during routine training activities when players may be less cautious.
- Proper Insertion: Insert the guard properly before activity begins and check retention periodically during breaks to maintain optimal protection throughout play.
- Hydration Strategies: Remove the guard only when necessary for hydration, rinsing both mouth and guard before reinsertion to maintain cleanliness and comfort.
- Communication with Coaches: Inform coaches about the importance of mouth guard use and any adjustments needed for optimal performance during practice and competition.
Custom Sports Mouth Guard Costs
Custom sports mouth guards typically cost more upfront than store-bought alternatives but provide significantly better protection and value over time. Store-bought guards may cost between five and 20 dollars but often don’t fit properly, interfere with breathing and speech, and provide inadequate protection. Custom guards cost more initially but last longer, provide superior protection, and are often more cost-effective than treating a single dental injury. Dr. Cary’s team can discuss pricing and payment options during your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, custom sports mouth guards are especially important for athletes with braces, as orthodontic appliances can cause additional oral injuries during impacts. Dr. Cary designs special guards that accommodate braces while providing enhanced protection for both teeth and orthodontic hardware. These guards may need periodic adjustment as orthodontic treatment progresses, but they’re essential for preventing serious injuries to lips, cheeks, and teeth during sports participation.
Sports mouth guards should typically be replaced every one to two years or sooner if damage occurs, depending on frequency of use and sport intensity. Growing athletes may need more frequent replacement as their mouths change, while adult recreational players may find guards last longer. Signs that replacement is needed include visible wear, cracks, poor fit, or difficulty cleaning. Dr. Cary evaluates guard condition during regular dental visits and recommends replacement timing based on individual needs.
Properly fitted custom mouth guards should enhance rather than hinder athletic performance by providing confidence and protection without interference. Unlike bulky store-bought guards, custom guards maintain natural breathing patterns, clear speech, and normal jaw function. Many athletes report feeling more confident and aggressive in their play when wearing properly fitted protection. Dr. Cary designs guards specifically to optimize both protection and performance for each individual athlete.
Mouth guard requirements vary by sport, level, and governing organization. High school football typically requires mouth guards in most states, while other contact sports may recommend but not mandate their use. Boxing and martial arts usually require mouth guards for competition safety. Dr. Cary can provide information about specific requirements for your sport and level of competition, as well as recommendations for optimal protection regardless of mandatory requirements.
Sports mouth guards should be removed for eating and drinking anything other than water to prevent damage to the guard and maintain oral hygiene. Water consumption is generally safe with guards in place, but other beverages can trap sugars and acids against teeth, increasing cavity risk. Plan hydration and nutrition breaks during practices and games when guards can be safely removed, cleaned, and properly reinserted for continued protection.
For Everything From Sports Dentistry to Routine Checkups, Call Dr. Jacob Cary
Your athletic abilities and dental health are valuable investments that deserve professional protection. Custom sports mouth guards from Lexington Dental of Owasso provide the superior protection, comfort, and performance that serious athletes need to compete with confidence. Don’t let a preventable dental injury sideline your athletic career or cost thousands in dental treatment.
Ready to protect your smile on the field, court, or rink? Call Lexington Dental of Owasso at (918) 274-8500 to schedule your custom sports mouth guard consultation today. We provide professional athletic protection for athletes from Claremore, Tulsa, Collinsville, and throughout the greater Oklahoma area. Play with confidence knowing your smile is protected by the best.
Meet Your Dentist
Dr. Jacob Cary, DDS
