People who play contact sports know that they’re at risk of concussion and other problems when on the field. They also risk suffering a blow to the mouth or jaw that could result in damaged or lost teeth or damage to sensitive oral tissue. To help protect their smile, athletes typically wear a mouth guard that provides the mouth and teeth with support and protection.
A Good Mouth Guard is Essential for Protecting Your Teeth
Injuries to teeth and oral tissues are the most common facial injuries that people suffer when they’re hurt in a sports-related incident. Another risk is that a blow to the chin may cause an impact that results in a concussion. Some ways that mouth guards protect the teeth include:
- Provide a buffer between the teeth and soft tissue that prevents lacerations to the cheeks and lips
- Cushion the teeth from direct impact and prevent teeth from fracturing or being knocked out
- Prevent upper and lower teeth from clashing as the result of a blow to the jaw
- Provides cushioning support to the jaw that can help prevent fractures and other jaw damage
Why is it Better to Use a Custom-Made Mouth Guard?
It can be tempting to opt for an over-the-counter mouth guard purchased from your pharmacy—they’re inexpensive and don’t require a trip to your dentist. However, there are several reasons why it’s much more beneficial to choose a custom-made mouth guard.
- Everyone’s mouth and teeth are different in terms of things like shape and alignment. So it makes good sense that a customized mouth guard is the best way to protect your mouth.
- A custom-made mouthguard fits your mouth securely while remaining comfortable to wear. You don’t have to bite down to keep a customized mouth guard in place the way you sometimes do with over-the-counter devices. This means you don’t have to focus on the mouth guard—you can just focus on the game and your performance.
- If a mouth guard is poorly-fitted, it doesn’t protect your mouth from high-impact contact. In fact, it can make an injury worse than it would have been with no mouth guard at all.
- Custom-made mouth guards are much more durable than over-the-counter devices. They don’t just fit better, they last longer too, so you don’t need to replace them as often.
Protect Your Teeth by Wearing a Sports Guard
According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, athletes who don’t use a sports guard when they play have a 60-fold higher risk of damaging their teeth. To avoid costly and painful injuries it’s definitely better to invest in a good device from your dentist to protect your teeth as effectively as possible.
To schedule a consultation please contact our dental practice in Keller, TX today!