22 Mar The Benefits of Using a Mouthguard for Sports
If you engage in any kind of sport, whether you play a contact sport like football or hockey, or a non-contact sport like gymnastics or basketball, wearing a mouth guard can provide a number of benefits to protect teeth, gums, and jaw. Mouth guards are an essential piece of protective equipment for athletes of all ages and skill levels.
Benefits of a Sports Mouth Guard
Spontaneous injuries can happen at any time while playing sports. Orofacial and dental damage from sports-related injuries can impact the teeth and jaw long-term, such as crown deviations, root damage, and misaligned teeth. Wearing a mouth guard during sports activities can provide a number of benefits:
Protects against dental injuries. Mouth guards protect your teeth from being chipped, cracked, or knocked out during sports. By cushioning teeth and gums, a mouth guard can help to absorb the impact of a blow to the face and reduce the risk of serious dental injuries.
Prevents soft tissue damage. A mouth guard can also prevent injuries to the soft tissues of the mouth, including the tongue, lips, and cheeks. By covering the sharp edges of the teeth and gums, a mouth guard can prevent cuts and bruises to these sensitive areas.
Reduces risk of concussion. Wearing a mouth guard can reduce the risk of concussion during sports. The cushioning effect of a mouth guard can help to absorb some of the impact of a blow to the head, reducing the risk of brain injury.
Improves breathing and performance.: Part of the role of a mouth guard is to hold the jaw in its correct position, which in turn can prevent airway obstruction and reduce snoring, to improve endurance and oxygen intake during sports.
Cost-effective. Compared to the cost of dental treatment for a serious sports injury, the cost of a custom-fitted mouth guard is relatively low. Investing in a mouth guard can help to prevent expensive and painful dental procedures down the line.
Getting A Mouthguard
Unlike generic, store-bought mouthguards, custom mouthguards provide stability because they are made to the patient’s specific jaw size and teeth structure. In a simple process, the dentist takes a plaster mold of the patient’s teeth to create the guard. The dentist then checks the mouthguard to ensure proper fit and bite.
Mouth guards are made of special plastic material that offers durability and structure to withstand the stress on teeth. Properly cared for a sports mouth guard can last for a period of time.
At Imperial Dental Center, our focus is to proactively care for the long-term health of your teeth, mouth, and jaw. If you or a member of your family are engaged in sports, we can help with a custom-fit mouth guard. Contact us at (281) 265-3567 or schedule an online appointment.
Dr. Dragana Angelova
Imperial Dental Center
“We love to see you smile”