Sports Mouthguard Q&A
Dr. Maryam Pearose operates a private dental practice in Foothill Ranch, California. A sought-after pediatric dental specialist, Dr. Maryam Pearose has more than seven years of experience in helping children to maintain healthy smiles. She earned her DDS from the University of California, San Francisco. What is a sports mouthguard? Also called athletic mouthguards or mouth protectors, sports mouthguards are soft coverings that are worn over the upper teeth during sports or other physical activities. Patients who wear braces may benefit from a mouthguard worn over the lower teeth as well. What kind of protection does a mouthguard offer? When a child falls or suffers a hit to the face during sports, mouthguards can help prevent loosened or knocked-out teeth, cuts to the soft tissues of the mouth, and jaw fractures. What is the best type of sports mouthguard? Two types of mouth protectors, stock mouthguards and boil-and-bite mouthguards, can be purchased at sporting goods stores. While both of these offer some protection, a mouthguard that is custom-made by a dentist offers the ideal combination of comfort and optimal protection.















