By Robert Madden

A highly experienced dentist in the Denver, Colorado, area, Robert Madden, DDS, MBA, presently runs his own practice in Littleton. With a strong focus on preventive care, Dr. Robert Madden encourages his patients to wear protective mouth guards when engaging in athletic activities.

The American Dental Association recommends that both children and adults use a protective mouth guard when engaging in any physical activity that involves the risk of a fall or a blow to the face. Studies show that a properly fitting mouth guard helps redistribute forces during impact to lessen the severity of injuries to the teeth, jaws, and soft tissues of the mouth.

Sporting goods stores offer stock mouth guards and boil-and-bite mouth guards, but these devices do not provide the same level of protection as an appliance that is custom-made by a dentist. Custom mouth guards are also less bulky and allow for easier breathing than store-bought mouth protectors. Sport mouth guards are made of a soft, rubber-like material and usually cover the top teeth only. However, patients who wear braces or have a fixed dental bridge on the lower jaw will likely need to obtain a mouth protector for the lower teeth, as well.

Mouth guards should be rinsed with cool water before and after each use and stored in a perforated container. They should additionally be inspected at every six-month checkup to ensure that they still fit properly and have not experienced wear.