When playing contact sports, your teeth and gums face real risk. One solid hit to the mouth can cause chipped teeth, cut lips, or worse—resulting in painful injuries and expensive dental work.
That’s why Dr. Sara Gotwalt, DMD, recommends custom sports mouthguards in Lititz, PA. A well-fitted mouthguard protects your oral health and keeps your focus where it should be—on the game.
Why Mouthguards Matter
A mouthguard acts as a shield. Worn over your upper teeth, it cushions impact and helps prevent injury to your teeth, jaw, and soft tissues like your gums. Athletes who wear braces are even more at risk for injury when they don’t wear proper protection. Ill-fitting or over-the-counter mouth guards often don’t offer enough defense.
Common situations mouthguards help prevent:
- Broken or knocked-out teeth during contact sports
- Cuts to lips, tongue, and gums
- Damage to existing dental work, such as crowns or braces
- Jaw injuries caused by impact
What Makes a Custom Mouthguard Different
Not all mouth guards work the same. A custom mouthguard is created by your dentist in Lititz, PA to fit the exact shape of your mouth. Dr. Gotwalt designs each one based on your bite, which helps ensure a secure, effective fit. This level of precision offers better protection, reduced movement during wear, and greater comfort compared to store-bought options.
Custom mouthguards are molded directly from a model of your teeth. This allows for full coverage and better support during impact. The material used is quite durable, holding up longer than generic alternatives. Unlike many over-the-counter versions, a custom mouthguard is also more comfortable and less likely to interfere with breathing or speaking.
Athletes often stop wearing their mouthguards when they feel bulky or don’t stay in place. A custom design helps solve these problems, making it more likely you’ll keep it in every time you play.
Who Needs a Mouthguard?
Anyone playing contact sports should talk to a dentist about getting fitted for a quality mouthguard. Sports like football, hockey, lacrosse, and even basketball pose a real risk to your mouth. Activities with falls or physical contact—like skateboarding or martial arts—also call for protection.
Kids, teens, and adults can all benefit, especially those with prior dental work or a history of injuries. If you wear braces or a retainer, using the right mouthguard is even more important to protect both your teeth and your orthodontic hardware.
The Care and Maintenance of Your Mouthguard
Your mouthguard will last longer and work better if you care for it properly. Here are a few simple steps:
- Rinse your mouthguard with cool water after each use
- Use a toothbrush and toothpaste to clean it weekly
- Keep it in a ventilated case when not in use
- Avoid chewing on it, which weakens the material
- Bring it to your dental checkups so your dentist can inspect it
Do not expose your mouthguard to heat—hot water, direct sunlight, or the inside of a car can warp the material and affect the fit.
Visit Dr. Sara Gotwalt for Your Custom Sports Mouthguard in Lititz, PA
As an experienced dentist, Dr. Gotwalt takes a straightforward approach to dental care. She works with each patient to create a comfortable, durable mouthguard that offers full protection. Whether you have braces or dental restorations, she ensures the fit accounts for your specific needs.
A small investment in a custom mouthguard can protect you from costly—and painful—dental injuries. If you participate in contact sports, it’s not worth the risk to play without one.
To schedule a fitting or learn more, contact Dr. Gotwalt’s office. Your teeth will thank you.