Dr. Elliott Answers Questions About Mouthguards

	"Dr. Elliott, why should I wear a mouthguard?"
	While mouth guards are not mandatory equipment in all sports, their worth is indisputable.  Mouthguards cushion blows to the face and neck.  A mouthguard should be part of every athlete's gear, no matter the sport. Even adults or weekend athletes need to protect their smile and preserve their health.

Do: At our office we feel that you should wear a mouthguard at all times when playing sports.  Wear a mouthguard custom-fitted by a dentist, especially if you wear bridges or braces.

Don't: Wear removable appliances like retainers when playing sports.

There are two types of mouthguards:

Custom-made: Designed by a dentist and made on a cast of your teeth.  These cause very little interference with speaking or breathing.  They provide the best protection and fit over braces and fixed bridges.  They also cost more.

Ready-made: Purchased at most sporting goods stores.  They are the least expensive, the least effective, and least comfortable.

Please call our office at 707 546-0429 if you would like to "play it safe!" and wear a comfortable mouthguard and protect your teeth.