• Call Us 417-887-1220
  • Make An Appointment
  • Visit Us
  • 417-887-1220
  • Make An Appointment
  • Dental Services
    • General Dentistry
      • Gum Disease
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Fillings
      • Root Canals
      • Dental FAQs
    • Orthodontics
      • Two-Phase Treatment
      • Early Orthodontic Treatment with Dr. Steven Harrison
      • Adult Orthodontic Treatment by Dr. Steven Harrison
      • Orthodontics for Teens
      • Retainer Instructions
      • Emergency Care
      • Life with Braces
        • Types of Braces
        • Traditional Braces
        • Clear Aligners
        • Clear Ceramic Braces
    • Dental Implants
      • Implant-Supported Dentures
      • X-Guide Imaging Machine for Dental Implants
    • Pediatric Dentistry
      • Dental Care for Your Baby
      • Thumb Sucking
      • Tooth Decay
      • Cavities
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Pediatric Dental FAQs
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • ICON White Spot Treatment
      • Botox
      • Teeth Whitening
      • Invisalign
        • Invisalign at Parkcrest
        • Teen Invisalign
      • Bridges
      • Crowns
      • Veneers
      • Dentures
      • Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
  • New Patients
    • Tour Our Office
    • Financial Information
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Testimonials
    • Patient Forms
  • Sedation Dentistry
  • Preventive Care
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Brushing & Flossing Tips
    • Orthodontic Dentistry: Brushing & Flossing with Braces
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Radiology
    • General Dentistry & Oral Cancer Screening
    • Sealants at the Parkcrest Dental Group
    • General Dentistry & Fluoride
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Meet Dr. Scott
    • Meet Dr. Ropka
    • Meet Dr. Harrison
    • Meet Dr. Hall
    • Meet Dr. Fannin
    • Meet Dr. Dills
    • Meet Dr. Sponenberg
    • Meet Dr. Snider
    • Meet Dr. Allie
    • Community Involvement
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • 50th Anniversary
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
    • Braces
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Dental
    • Dental Care
    • Dental Education
    • Dental Implants
    • Dental Products
    • FAQ
    • Floss
    • Guides
      • After Oral Surgery
      • Botox in Springfield
      • Calcium Deposits
      • Caregiver’s Guide
      • Choosing a Dentist
      • Dental Care
      • Dental Emergencies
      • Our Offices
      • Porcelain Veneers
      • Your Child’s First Visit
    • Pediatric
    • Teeth Whitening
  • Dental Services
    • General Dentistry
      • Gum Disease
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Fillings
      • Root Canals
      • Dental FAQs
    • Orthodontics
      • Two-Phase Treatment
      • Early Orthodontic Treatment with Dr. Steven Harrison
      • Adult Orthodontic Treatment by Dr. Steven Harrison
      • Orthodontics for Teens
      • Retainer Instructions
      • Emergency Care
      • Life with Braces
        • Types of Braces
        • Traditional Braces
        • Clear Aligners
        • Clear Ceramic Braces
    • Dental Implants
      • Implant-Supported Dentures
      • X-Guide Imaging Machine for Dental Implants
    • Pediatric Dentistry
      • Dental Care for Your Baby
      • Thumb Sucking
      • Tooth Decay
      • Cavities
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Pediatric Dental FAQs
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • ICON White Spot Treatment
      • Botox
      • Teeth Whitening
      • Invisalign
        • Invisalign at Parkcrest
        • Teen Invisalign
      • Bridges
      • Crowns
      • Veneers
      • Dentures
      • Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
  • New Patients
    • Tour Our Office
    • Financial Information
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Testimonials
    • Patient Forms
  • Sedation Dentistry
  • Preventive Care
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Brushing & Flossing Tips
    • Orthodontic Dentistry: Brushing & Flossing with Braces
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Radiology
    • General Dentistry & Oral Cancer Screening
    • Sealants at the Parkcrest Dental Group
    • General Dentistry & Fluoride
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Meet Dr. Scott
    • Meet Dr. Ropka
    • Meet Dr. Harrison
    • Meet Dr. Hall
    • Meet Dr. Fannin
    • Meet Dr. Dills
    • Meet Dr. Sponenberg
    • Meet Dr. Snider
    • Meet Dr. Allie
    • Community Involvement
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • 50th Anniversary
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
    • Braces
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Dental
    • Dental Care
    • Dental Education
    • Dental Implants
    • Dental Products
    • FAQ
    • Floss
    • Guides
      • After Oral Surgery
      • Botox in Springfield
      • Calcium Deposits
      • Caregiver’s Guide
      • Choosing a Dentist
      • Dental Care
      • Dental Emergencies
      • Our Offices
      • Porcelain Veneers
      • Your Child’s First Visit
    • Pediatric
    • Teeth Whitening

How Athletes Can Protect Their Mouth

  • December 11, 2017
  • 9:31 am
  • Dental Care, Dental Products
  • Mouth Guard, Tooth Damage
  • Parkcrest Dental Group

Sports are a ton of fun, but damaging your teeth is no fun at all. Luckily, you can definitely minimize the chances of an accident by taking the proper precautions. Today in the Parkcrest Dental Group blog, we talk about how to protect your teeth if you’re an athlete.

Buy a Mouth Guard

Far and away the best method of protecting your teeth is with a mouth guard. A mouth guard can greatly reduce impact and reduce your chance of injury. Although no one particularly likes wearing a mouth guard, it’s still absolutely essential. Luckily, mouth guards can be made very comfortable if you buy the right one, so any complaints you may have about wearing them can be laid to rest.

Related Post: Parkcrest Dental Group: Does It Matter What Mouth Guard I Use?

Types of Mouth Guards

Typically, you can just buy a generic mouth guard at the store, but at Parkcrest Dental Group we recommend getting one that is a little more custom built. The reason being that these generic guards are typically uncomfortable and they don’t always fit in the mouth right.

Thus, you’re left with two options. You can get a boil and bite mouth guard, or you can have your dentist at Parkcrest Dental Group make one for you. A boil and bite mouth guard is the next step up from the generic mouth guard. They’re a little more expensive, but not by much. With these mouth guards, you heat the guard to soften it and then bite into it to form it your teeth. These are definitely more comfortable than the generic mouth guards. But nothing will beat the comfort of a custom-made mouth guard, especially if you have braces or other unique needs. Next time you have an appointment at Parkcrest Dental Group, ask your dentist about making you a custom mouth guard.

Related Post: Visiting The Pediatric Dentistry Office To Protect Child Athlete’s Teeth

Contact Parkcrest Dental Group

We can’t overstate the importance of a mouth guard. You can really do serious damage to your teeth if you get hit. With custom-made guards, there’s no excuse as to why you won’t wear one. If you have a young child who’s apprehensive about wearing their guard, just show them all their favorite athletes who wear them. The best athletes in the world wear mouth guards to protect their beautiful smiles, and so should they! If you’re in need of dental services, Parkcrest Dental Group is the place to go. We offer a variety of services from cosmetic dentistry to pediatric dentistry. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or continue browsing our website for even more information.

Meet Some Dentists in Springfield, MO

Dr. Stuart Scott (top left) is our pediatric dentist. He earned his degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry before completing a two-year residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Steven Harrison (top right) is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Harrison, our orthodontist, graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He’s been with Parkcrest Dental Group since 1986.

Dr. Chanin Ropka (center left) attended UMKC before joining the United States Navy, where she served as the only dentist on board the USS Germantown and at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Ropka began at Parkcrest Dental in 2001.

Dr. Daniel Fannin (center right) graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry in 1997. He completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency in 1998 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group that same year.

Dr. Steven C. Sponenberg (bottom left) has been a Springfieldian his entire life. He graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2004 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group immediately after.

Dr. Jason Hall (bottom right) is also a native Springfieldian. He earned his DDS from the University of Missouri at Kansas City Dental School in 1997. He came to Parkcrest Dental Group in 2010. Dr. Hall’s father, Stan, is also a dentist.

More to explore

Man in pain holding his jaw, showing signs of a toothache or dental issue

Dental Injuries and Trauma: What to Do and Where to Go for Emergency Dental Care in Springfield, MO

May 19, 2025

Dental injuries aren’t just painful, they are typically unpredictable. One second, everything is fine. Next, you’re holding a broken tooth or trying

Female patient receiving a dental check-up with dentist using dental mirror and explorer in a modern clinic

Regular Dental Exams, The Simple Habit That Protects Your Smile for Life

May 19, 2025

At Parkcrest Dental Group in Springfield, MO, we believe the best dental care is personal, consistent, and stress-free. That’s why regular dental

Comprehensive Guide to Broken Tooth Repair, Relief and Prevention

April 30, 2025

A broken tooth can happen in many different ways, from weakened enamel and cavities to a fall or grinding teeth. If you

Archives
Search
Categories
  • Braces (63)
  • Cosmetic Dentistry (35)
  • Dental (19)
  • Dental Care (150)
  • Dental Education (165)
  • Dental Implants (18)
  • Dental Products (64)
  • FAQ (149)
  • Floss (12)
  • Guides (13)
  • Pediatric (63)
  • Teeth Whitening (29)
  • 540 W LaSalle St, Springfield, MO 65807
  • (417) 887-1220
  • Follow Us:
  • Dental FAQs
  • Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
  • Pediatric Dental FAQs
  • Privacy Practices

Web Design: BigPxl