Sports-related dental injuries are among the most preventable in all of athletics — and among the most costly when they’re not. A knocked-out permanent tooth, a fractured crown, or a lacerated lip from an impact that the right mouthguard would have absorbed can mean multiple appointments, significant expense, and outcomes that are never quite as good as the original. The American Dental Association estimates that athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to suffer dental injury during play. At Heart of Hingham Dental Aesthetics, we make it easy for athletes of all ages — from youth soccer players in Hingham to adult hockey leagues across the South Shore — to protect their smiles with a custom sports mouthguard that actually fits, stays in place, and can be worn comfortably during intense activity.
The obvious sports are contact sports: football, hockey, lacrosse, boxing, and martial arts. But dental injuries are common in a much broader range of activities than most people expect — basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, gymnastics, and skateboarding all carry meaningful risk. Any sport that involves running, jumping, or the chance of contact with another player, a ball, or a hard surface is one where a mouthguard is worth serious consideration. Youth sports leagues in Massachusetts increasingly require mouthguards for organized play, and custom-fitted guards provide protection that meets and exceeds those requirements.
Boil-and-bite mouthguards — purchased at sporting goods stores and softened in hot water for a rough impression — are better than nothing, but they have real limitations that custom-fitted guards do not. Because they’re designed for average anatomy rather than your specific teeth and bite, they tend to be bulky, sit unevenly, and require active biting pressure to stay in place. Athletes who can’t breathe freely or speak clearly through their guard often end up leaving it on the sideline. Custom sports mouthguards from Dr. Sandhu are fabricated from an exact impression of your teeth, allowing for a slim, precisely fitting appliance that stays seated without effort, doesn’t restrict breathing, and allows normal speech. They’re also made from materials significantly more durable than what you’ll find in a drugstore kit.
Her educational foundation provides the scientific knowledge necessary for accurate diagnoses and effective treatments. However, Dr. Kupke understands that excellence in dentistry requires ongoing learning. Dental techniques and technologies evolve rapidly, and staying current with these advancements ensures patients receive the most effective care available.
To maintain this commitment to excellence, Dr. Kupke regularly participates in continuing education courses and professional development opportunities. These additional certifications and training sessions keep her at the forefront of dental innovation, allowing her to incorporate new approaches that improve patient outcomes and comfort.
Custom sports guards are available for patients of all ages. For children in youth sports, a properly fitted guard is especially important — growing teeth and developing jaws are particularly vulnerable to traumatic injury, and a knocked-out permanent tooth in a child is a dental problem that will follow them for life. Dr. Sandhu can fabricate guards for children who have begun developing their permanent dentition. For adult athletes, custom guards are available in a range of thicknesses and materials depending on the intensity of your sport and any existing dental work that warrants additional protection.
If your child plays any organized or recreational sport with contact potential, a mouthguard is strongly recommended — and for many sports, required. Dr. Sandhu can evaluate your child’s dentition and fit a guard sized and calibrated appropriately for their age and sport.
Yes, and it’s especially important to do so. Brackets and wires can cause significant soft tissue injury during impact without protection. There are mouthguards specifically designed to accommodate orthodontic appliances, and Dr. Sandhu will ensure your guard fits properly around your braces.
With regular care, a custom sports guard typically lasts one to three seasons for adult athletes. For children and teenagers still growing, more frequent replacement may be needed as the dentition changes. We’ll check the fit of your guard at regular appointments and let you know when it’s time for a new one.
Custom sports mouthguards are available in a variety of colors and can incorporate team colors or patterns — especially popular with younger athletes who are more motivated to actually wear a guard that reflects their personality. Ask Dr. Sandhu’s team about available options at your fitting appointment.
Ready to protect your smile on the field? Book a sports guard fitting at Heart of Hingham or call us at (781) 630-9924 — two short appointments are all it takes.
We welcome new patients and look forward to helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and start your dental care journey.
