Petrol Orthodontics provides mouth guards to Temecula Valley Teams

The American Association of Orthodontists encourages kids to “Play It Safe” during organized and recreational sports and we at Petrol Orthodontics are doing our part by providing custom mouth guards to all young athletes whether they are patients of ours or not.

Athletic mouth guards provide protection, but vary in comfort and cost. In order to provide the most protection, it is important that the mouth guard fit properly, but it should not restrict your speech or breathing. However, when it comes to choosing a mouth guard, something is better than nothing. Stock mouth guards are available at most sporting goods stores and with these mouth guards, you simply pick a size and hope that it fits. A snug fit is nearly impossible to achieve with these types. These offer the least amount of protection but are still better than nothing at all. A step up from this is the “boil and bite” mouth guard which you bite into after softening in boiling water to create a semicustom fit. These are also available at most sporting goods stores.The best fitting mouth guard is one that is custom made by a dentist or Orthodontist. After taking an impression of the teeth, the custom rubberized material is formed around the model of the teeth much the same way as a custom retainer is made, except that the custom mouth guard is thicker and more pliable and fits perfectly. These mouth guards offer the most protection with the least amount of bulk. It is easier to breathe and to speak with a custom mouth guard. Because of the tight fit, they are less likely to fall out.

According to the National Youth Sports Foundation for Safety, every athlete involved in contact sports has about a 10 percent chance per season of an injury to the face and mouth, or a 33-56 percent chance during an athletic career.

Thanks to the Team at Petrol Orthodontics athletes on these local sports teams will be "playing it safe."

• Murrieta Junior All American Football
• Menifee American Youth Football
• Menifee Pop Warner
• Temecula Valley Inline Hockey
• Temecula Valley Lacrosse League
• Wildomar Pop Warner

Parents, Please talk to your child's coach regarding the opportunity to have custom mouth guards for your team. We can even make them in your teams custom colors. Together we can make a difference and decrease the incidence of mouth injuries in youth sports.