A Dental Injury During a Game Can Cost More Than the Whole Season.
A single blow to the mouth during a game can crack a tooth, knock one out entirely, or fracture a jaw. Custom sports mouthguards prevent all of that in a single affordable appointment. Grand Prairie Family Dental, located in Grand Prairie TX, offers custom sports mouthguards for athletes of all ages under Dr. Behrooz Khademazad, DDS, who has practiced at this location since August 28, 1988. His approach to athletic protection is the same as his approach to every preventive service: get it right the first time and it works when it matters.
If your child plays contact sports or you play recreational athletics and have been relying on a store-bought guard, the protection is not what you think it is. Patients from Westchester and Mountain Creek come to Grand Prairie Family Dental for a properly fitted guard before the season starts. Most say the difference in comfort and stability compared to a store-bought option is immediately obvious.
Why a Custom Sports Mouthguard Matters
The American Dental Association estimates that athletes who do not wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to suffer dental injuries during play. A custom sports mouthguard absorbs and redistributes the force of an impact across the full arch rather than concentrating it on one tooth, which significantly reduces the risk of tooth fractures, jaw injuries, and concussions. Store-bought guards provide a fraction of this protection because they do not conform precisely to the athlete’s bite.
A general dental injury during competition is not just painful. It is expensive. A knocked-out tooth that requires an implant costs far more than a custom mouthguard, and the treatment timeline disrupts both school and sport. Prevention at this level is simply the more practical choice.
Who Should Wear a Sports Mouthguard
Sports mouthguards are not only for contact sports and not only for children. Dr. Khademazad evaluates each patient individually before recommending the appropriate guard type based on the sport, the athlete’s age, and any existing dental work. Athletes who benefit most from a custom guard include:
- Children and teenagers in organized contact sports including football, basketball, soccer, and hockey
- Adults who play recreational contact or high-impact sports at any level
- Athletes who wear braces or have crowns, bridges, or implants that need protection from impact
- Athletes with a history of dental injuries during prior sports participation
- Players in non-contact sports where falls or equipment contact are a risk
- Any athlete whose parent, coach, or league requires mouthguard use during practice and games
Families from Kirby Creek Village and Nottingham Estates who bring their children in for custom guards before the season starts avoid the emergency appointments that store-bought guard failures cause. Dr. Khademazad fits guards for athletes at every age from youth leagues through adult recreational play.
What to Expect During a Custom Mouthguard Appointment
A custom sports mouthguard appointment at Grand Prairie Family Dental takes one short visit to take the impression and a second brief visit to fit the finished guard. At the first appointment Dr. Khademazad takes a precise digital scan or physical impression of the teeth. The guard is fabricated in a dental laboratory to exact specifications and returned typically within one to two weeks.
At the fitting appointment the guard is adjusted for a precise, secure fit and you receive complete instructions for wearing and caring for it. Dr. Khademazad checks the fit of existing guards at regular exams and makes adjustments as the athlete’s teeth change over time, which is particularly important for children and teenagers whose mouths are still developing.
