7 Facts About Sports Mouth Guards

Sports injuries can be the reasons behind some oral injuries, like tooth loss, soft tissue injuries, and jaw damage. Fortunately, you can prevent these injuries by wearing a sports mouthguard. The mouthguard acts as a shock absorber during a blow to the jaw or face, reducing the severity of oral injuries. You should wear a mouthguard if you engage in contact sports and physical activities such as football, volleyball, basketball, hockey, ice skating, and car races.

When considering a sports mouthguard, you should talk to your dentist in concord, NH about getting a custom mouthguard. Unlike a generic mouthguard obtained in a store, a custom guard from your dentist is made from impressions of your mouth, offering excellent comfort and protection. They fit snugly over your mouth, ensuring you breathe and communicate easily during the game.

If you’ve never used a sports guard, below are 7 facts about mouthguards that you should know.

Facts About Sports Mouthguards

• They protect your teeth.

Playing contact sports like football without a mouthguard increases your risk of tooth damage. For instance, a blow to the jaw or face can cause the teeth to crush against each other, causing them to chip, crack, break, loosen, or even fall out. Wearing a mouthguard acts as a barrier, preventing your teeth from crushing against each other during a sports accident, significantly reducing the risk and impact of the blow.

• You only need a mouthguard for top teeth.

Typically, a mouthguard prevents your top and bottom teeth from crushing each other during a blow. Therefore, you only need a mouthguard for your top teeth. Similarly, wearing a mouth guard on the top teeth allows you to breathe easily and comfortably, ensuring your performance isn’t affected. However, there are exceptions. You might need a mouthguard on both jaws if you play extreme contact sports like boxing since there is a great risk of receiving a big blow to the jaw.

• You should replace your sports guard twice yearly.

Over time, your guard will wear down or can get damaged, increasing your risk of oral injuries. Experts recommend replacing your mouthguard every six months when it feels loose or shows signs of wear or damage. It will ensure that you’re protected fully in case of an accident. Avoid damaging habits like chewing gum with the mouthguard, which will cause it to wear out much faster.

• You should clean your mouth guard.

Since mouthguards cover the teeth, not cleaning them makes them a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. It will make you vulnerable to tooth decay, gum disease, oral thrush, and much more. After a game and practice, clean your guard and store it in a cool, dry, ventilated container.

• You can get a sports guard if you have braces.

Your orthodontic treatment shouldn’t prevent you from caring for your teeth when playing sports. Braces increase the risk of oral injuries due to the wires and brackets. Fortunately, your dentist can design a sports mouth guard for braces to accommodate the braces and still keep you comfortable and protected during the game. Using generic sports guards can be uncomfortable and damage your braces, causing further complications.

• A sports guard saves you money.

You might be tempted not to invest in a good sports guard due to its initial cost. However, getting a mouthguard is the best way to care for your mouth when playing sports. Without the mouthguard, you will likely sustain sports-related oral injuries like tooth chips, breaks, knock-outs, and soft tissue injuries to your lips, tongue, and cheeks. In serious cases, you can get jaw and brain injuries like concussions. Wearing a mouthguard prevents or reduces the severity of all these injuries, saving you from unnecessary treatments that could cost you a fortune.

• Avoid generic mouthguards altogether.

You might want to get a stock mouth guard because it is cheaper than a custom guard from your dentist. Unfortunately, they are generic, likely too tight, loose, or bulky, which can cause significant discomfort and difficulty breathing. Similarly, generic sports guards are made from low-quality material, making them less lasting and vulnerable to damage.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Are you interested in a sports mouthguard in Concord, NH? Contact Concord Dental Associates for more information.