My daughter plays field hockey and just got braces. How do I protect that smile?
A. You should invest in a mouth guard. There are three different types of mouth guards: the stock mouth protector, the mouth-formed, and the custom-made protector. The stock plastic mouth protector can be purchased at most sporting goods and department stores. Mouth-formed or “boil and bite” mouth guards come in two types, the shell-liner mouth guard is made with acrylic plastic material that is poured into a firm outer shell where it forms a lining. The second type is a thermoplastic mouth-formed mouth guard. Softening in hot water forms this mouth guard. It is placed in the mouth and shaped around the teeth by using finger, tongue and sometimes gentle biting pressure. The custom-made protector is an individually designed plastic device made in the dental office or by a professional laboratory, following a dentist’s instructions. This type is more likely to provide the most comfortable fit and protection and is especially recommended for children with dental work such as braces. In ad
