Mouth Guards in Westwood, NJ
Your child sprints down the field, fully immersed in the game, when suddenly a collision sends them stumbling backward, clutching their mouth. In that split second, years of healthy teeth development can be undone by a single impact. Whether it’s a stray elbow during basketball practice, an unexpected fall while skateboarding, or contact during a soccer match, dental injuries happen more frequently than most parents realize, and the consequences can be both painful and expensive.
At Clemente Orthodontics, we understand that protecting your family’s smiles extends beyond straightening teeth. Our team has been serving the Westwood community and surrounding Bergen County areas since the 1970s, and we’ve witnessed firsthand how custom mouth guards can prevent devastating dental injuries during sports and recreational activities. Dr. Michael Clemente, along with his daughters Dr. Nicole and Dr. Marissa, bring multiple generations of orthodontic expertise to every patient they serve, and they’re committed to keeping your smile safe both in and out of the office.
Come see us at Clemente Orthodontics
Why Athletes in Westwood Need Mouth Guards
Sports participation continues to grow throughout New Jersey, with thousands of young athletes taking to fields, courts, and rinks each season. According to the American Dental Association, athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to sustain damage to their teeth during sports activities. This startling statistic underscores a preventable problem that affects athletes across all age groups and skill levels.
The types of injuries that mouth guards prevent range from chipped and broken teeth to more severe trauma involving the jaw, tongue, and soft tissues of the mouth. Basketball accounts for a significant portion of dental injuries among high school athletes, while baseball leads in injuries for younger age groups. Even non-contact sports like skateboarding, bicycling, and gymnastics carry substantial risk for dental trauma. A properly fitted mouth guard serves as a cushion that absorbs and distributes the force of impact, significantly reducing the likelihood of injury.
For families in Westwood, NJ, access to quality sports protection is essential. Many young athletes participate in multiple sports throughout the year, and each activity presents its own unique risks. A custom mouth guard provides consistent protection across all these activities, giving parents peace of mind whether their child is on the basketball court, soccer field, or wrestling mat.
Types of Mouth Guards Available
Stock Mouth Guards
These pre-formed guards come ready to wear right out of the package and are available at most sporting goods stores. While they’re the most affordable option, they offer the least protection and comfort. Stock mouth guards don’t conform to your individual teeth structure, which means they can feel bulky, interfere with breathing and speaking, and may not stay in place during activity.
Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guards
These thermoplastic guards soften in hot water and then mold to your teeth when you bite down. They provide a better fit and protection than stock guards and are moderately priced. However, the fit quality depends heavily on proper technique during the molding process, and many athletes find them less comfortable than custom options.
Custom-Fabricated Mouth Guards
Professional mouth guards created by an orthodontist offer the highest level of protection, comfort, and durability. These guards are made from precise impressions of your teeth, ensuring optimal fit and retention. Custom guards allow for easier breathing and speaking, making athletes more likely to wear them consistently throughout practices and games.
The investment in a custom mouth guard becomes even more valuable when you consider the cost of treating dental injuries, which can reach thousands of dollars for procedures like root canals, crowns, or tooth replacement.
Transform Your Smile with Expert Orthodontic Care
From traditional braces to Invisalign®, we create beautiful, healthy smiles at every age.
• Customized orthodontic treatment plans for all ages
• Invisalign clear aligner therapy for discreet treatment
• Advanced technology for faster, more comfortable results
• Flexible payment plans starting at $99 per month
Special Considerations for Orthodontic Patients
Athletes undergoing braces treatment face unique challenges when it comes to mouth protection. A blow to the face can damage orthodontic appliances and cause brackets or wires to cut into the soft tissues of the mouth. Standard mouth guards don’t accommodate the changing position of teeth during treatment, which is why orthodontic patients need specially designed protection.
Custom orthodontic mouth guards provide a protective barrier between brackets and the soft tissues of your cheeks and lips. These guards are designed to accommodate tooth movement throughout treatment, and many orthodontists recommend getting new guards periodically as teeth shift into their new positions. For teen and adult patients actively playing sports, this specialized protection is essential for preventing both dental injuries and damage to orthodontic appliances.
The protection extends both ways: mouth guards protect your teeth from sports injuries, while also protecting your cheeks and lips from the brackets and wires of your orthodontic appliances. This dual protection makes custom guards especially valuable for patients in active treatment.
Maintaining Your Mouth Guard
Proper care ensures your mouth guard remains effective and hygienic throughout the sports season. After each use, rinse the guard with cool water or mouthwash and brush it with your toothbrush. Store it in a sturdy, ventilated container to prevent damage and allow air circulation. Avoid exposing your mouth guard to high temperatures, which can warp the material and compromise the fit.
Regularly inspect your guard for signs of wear, tears, or a loose fit. Most mouth guards need replacement after one season of regular use, though this varies depending on the intensity of play and how well the guard is maintained. Athletes undergoing orthodontic treatment may need more frequent replacements as their teeth move into new positions.
Choose Clemente Orthodontics for Mouth Guards in Westwood, NJ
When you choose Clemente Orthodontics for your custom mouth guard, you’re benefiting from a multigenerational family practice with deep roots in the Bergen County community. Dr. Michael Clemente has over four decades of experience in orthodontics, and together with Dr. Nicole and Dr. Marissa Clemente, the team represents a true legacy of perfect smiles. As a top 1% Invisalign® provider in the nation, we treat more Invisalign® patients than 99% of all other providers, demonstrating our commitment to advanced care and exceptional results across all aspects of orthodontics.
Our custom mouth guards are precisely fitted to your unique dental structure, providing superior protection without sacrificing comfort or performance. Whether you’re an athlete in active orthodontic treatment or simply want the best protection available for sports, we’ll create a guard that meets your specific needs. Don’t wait for an injury to make mouth protection a priority. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can keep your smile safe during every game, practice, and competition.
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