Playing sports brings countless health benefits, from improved cardiovascular fitness to stronger muscles and bones. However, it also comes with risks – particularly to your teeth and mouth. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a serious competitor, protecting your smile should be a top priority while engaging in athletic activities.
At Eccella Smiles, we provide custom-fitted athletic mouthguards that offer superior protection and comfort for athletes of all levels in Jacksonville Beach. Our professional team understands the importance of both performance and safety, creating personalized protective solutions that help you stay in the game with confidence.
The Hidden Dangers of Sports-Related Dental Injuries
Dental injuries are among the most common types of facial injuries in sports. The American Dental Association reports that athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to suffer dental trauma than those who do. Even non-contact sports like basketball, soccer, and cycling carry risks from accidental falls, collisions with other players, or impact with equipment.
Why Store-Bought Mouthguards Fall Short
While over-the-counter “boil-and-bite” mouthguards are better than nothing, they come with significant limitations:
- Poor fit leading to discomfort and restricted breathing
- Inadequate thickness in critical areas, providing less protection
- Bulky design that interferes with speech and hydration
- Lower durability, requiring frequent replacement
These generic guards often feel so uncomfortable that athletes remove them during play or don’t wear them consistently, defeating their protective purpose entirely.
The Custom Mouthguard Advantage
At Eccella Smiles, we create custom-fitted mouthguards that address all the shortcomings of store-bought options. Our professional-grade mouthguards offer:
Superior Protection
Custom mouthguards are precisely designed to cover all your teeth and extend to protect the supporting structures. The materials and thickness are strategically engineered to absorb and distribute impact forces effectively.
Exceptional Comfort
Each custom guard is fabricated based on detailed impressions of your teeth, ensuring a perfect fit that stays securely in place during intense activity.
Improved Performance
Unlike bulky store-bought options, custom mouthguards allow for normal breathing and speech, which is crucial for communication during team sports.
Durability
Professional-grade materials mean your custom mouthguard will last significantly longer than store-bought alternatives, making them a better investment in the long run.
The Custom Mouthguard Process
Getting your custom athletic mouthguard at our Jacksonville Beach office is straightforward:
- Consultation and Impression: We’ll discuss your specific sport and protection needs, then take precise digital impressions of your teeth.
- Custom Fabrication: Using these impressions, we craft your mouthguard from high-quality, durable materials.
- Final Fitting: When your guard is ready, you’ll return for a fitting appointment where we ensure perfect comfort and coverage.
The entire process typically requires just two short appointments, resulting in a protective device that offers significantly better protection and comfort than anything available over the counter.
Who Needs a Custom Mouthguard?
While the necessity may seem obvious for contact sports like football and hockey, the American Dental Association actually recommends mouthguards for a much broader range of activities, including:
- Basketball and soccer
- Baseball and softball
- Skateboarding and cycling
- Gymnastics
- Wrestling and martial arts
Even non-contact sports can involve unexpected collisions or falls that put your teeth at risk.
Beyond Protection: Additional Benefits
Custom mouthguards offer benefits beyond basic protection:
- Some studies suggest properly fitted mouthguards may help reduce the severity of concussions
- They protect lips, cheeks, and tongue from cuts and lacerations
- They provide essential protection for existing dental work like orthodontics, crowns, and implants
- Some athletes report improved performance with custom mouthguards that optimize jaw positioning
The Cost Consideration
While custom mouthguards represent a higher initial investment than store-bought alternatives, consider the potential cost of treating sports-related dental injuries:
- A single crown for a broken tooth can cost $1,000-$3,000
- Root canal therapy following trauma often costs $700-$1,500
- Dental implants to replace knocked-out teeth typically range from $3,000-$5,000 per tooth
Viewed from this perspective, a custom mouthguard represents an extremely cost-effective preventive measure that protects both your smile and your wallet.
Protect Your Smile with Eccella Smiles
Whether you’re training for a championship or simply enjoying recreational sports, your smile deserves the best protection available. At Eccella Smiles in Jacksonville Beach, we’re committed to helping athletes of all ages and levels protect their dental health with comfortable, effective custom mouthguards that provide peace of mind during every game, match, or practice.
Don’t wait for an injury to recognize the importance of proper protection. Contact our office today at (904) 834-3737 to schedule your consultation for a custom athletic mouthguard. Our experienced team, led by Dr. Sox, will help you find the perfect protective solution for your specific needs, ensuring you can give your all to your sport without risking your smile in the process.
