7 Facts About Sports Mouth Guards

Sports accidents are the key reason to blame for dental injuries like chips, cracks, breaks, and avulsion. Serious sports accidents can also lead to soft tissue injuries, jawbone damage, and concussions. If you or your child plays contact sports like football, rugby, handball, boxing, volleyball, and basketball, a sports guard is an essential tool you can’t afford to lack during the game.

To be specific, you need a custom-made sports mouthguard. Athletes who wear ill-fitting, uncomfortable, worn-out mouthguards are at a greater risk of suffering dental trauma. For maximum protection, contact our dentist for customized sports guards in Marshfield, MA.

Important Facts About Sports Guards

If you’re interested in sports guard for you and your kid, here are some facts about mouth guards that you should know:

• Sports Guards protect your teeth.

You can’t predict sports accidents. You’re more likely to get oral injuries if you play contact sports without a mouthguard. Wearing a mouthguard during sports provides a protective layer over your teeth, reducing the impact of accidents and injuries. Even if you get a blow to the face, your teeth will still be intact, and you won’t have to leave your game to attend to avoidable injuries.

• You only need sports guards on the top teeth.

You only need a sports guard for the top teeth for most sports. Wearing a mouthguard on the top teeth only helps you breathe better and feel comfortable during the game. Some games like boxing require a sports guard on both lower and upper teeth as there’s a greater risk of getting blows on both jaws.

• Replace your sports guard every six months.

While a customized mouthguard is strong and durable, it can wear or tear due to regular use. A damaged or worn-out mouthguard might not adequately protect you from oral injuries. It would help if you replaced your sports guard every six months or as soon as you notice it’s worn or damaged. Avoid chewing your mouthguard to ensure longer service.

• It would be best if you cleaned the guard.

While you wear the mouthguard for only a few minutes, it still needs to be washed thoroughly after every use. If you don’t clean them, they can become a breeding environment for bacteria and other germs. It can make you susceptible to oral conditions like gum disease, oral thrush, bad breath, and tooth infections.

To prevent these issues, clean your mouthguard after every practice and game. Gently brush the mouthguard with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild soap or toothpaste. Rinse and dry it thoroughly.

• You can wear a sports guard with braces.

If you’re on orthodontic treatment like braces, you still need a sports guard to protect your teeth and braces. Without a mouthguard, the wires and brackets can cause soft tissue injuries during a sports accident. You must get a custom-made sports guard from your dentist to ensure that it fits snugly without causing discomfort or interfering with your orthodontic treatment.

• Use custom-made sports guards.

Some people want to use stock and bite-and-boil mouthguards since they are cheaper and readily available. Unfortunately, since these mouthguards are one-size-fits-all, they don’t always provide the best protection. Similarly, they can cause breathing and talking problems.

It’s a good idea to invest in a customized sports guard. A custom-made guard is designed according to your mouth structure, ensuring it fits perfectly over your teeth. Contact our Marshfield, MA, for a custom-made sports mouthguard.

• Mouthguards are cheaper than treatment.

Besides protecting your mouth, wearing a sports mouthguard during sports always protects your wallet. You can agree that the costs and hassles of addressing sports injuries like tooth loss, soft tissue injuries, jawbone damage, and concussions are way higher than getting a mouthguard.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Ready to invest in a custom-made sports mouthguard? Contact Beautiful South Shore Smiles for more information.