Dental Clinic offers custom mouth guards Published May 16, 2013 341st Medical Operations Squadron MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The 341st Medical Operations Squadron's Dental Flight will be hosting a custom sports mouth guard clinic on May 23 from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. for all active-duty personnel. According to the American Dental Association, wearing a mouth guard helps buffer an impact that might otherwise cause teeth to break, injuries to the face, lips, tongue and jaw. It's also believed that they may reduce the severity and occurrence of concussions. Mouth guards generally cover the upper teeth; however, if you have a protruding jaw, your dentist may recommend that your lower teeth also be covered. Additionally, if you wear braces, have a receding chin or cleft palate, it would be beneficial to get a custom mouth guard made as well. The most effective mouth guard should have several features. They should be resilient, tear-resistant and comfortable. They're most effective against trauma when they are properly fitted, are durable, easy to clean and do not restrict speech or breathing. If you are interested in a custom-made mouth guard and engage in these high contact sports: acrobatics, basketball, bicycling, boxing, equestrian events, extreme sports, field events, field hockey, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, inline skating, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, rugby, shot-put, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, softball, squash, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting or wresting, contact the Dental Clinic at 731-2511 for an appointment. We will take impressions of your teeth, fabricate a custom mouth guard in a variety of colors and have it ready for pick-up the very next day.