“Remember to wear your mouthguard!”
If you participate in high-contact sports, you’ve likely heard this reminder from coaches, teammates, or parents numerous times.
Your mouth is composed of both soft and hard tissues that work together to enable functions like eating, speaking, and breathing. A strong impact to these tissues can cause serious injuries, such as bruising, tooth loss, or even worse.
In extreme cases, falling headfirst without proper protection during sports like ice hockey or lacrosse can lead to jaw fractures, neck injuries, concussions, and brain bleeding.
This is where athletic mouth guards come into play. They are essential for protecting your oral health and overall well-being while engaging in sports activities.
How mouth guards work
Mouthguards are typically made from materials like natural rubber, vinyl resin, polyurethane, or acrylic resin. These materials give sports mouthguards the ability to prevent dental injuries resulting from collisions and accidental falls by acting as a protective barrier.
Statistics show that athletes who participate in high-contact sports without wearing a mouthguard are 60 times more likely to suffer from dental accidents.
A well-designed mouth guard works by evenly absorbing and distributing the force of an impact. This reduces the concentration of the impact on a specific area and minimizes the severity of injuries to both the hard and soft tissues in the mouth.
For example, a football mouth guard can protect your teeth from being knocked out during a tackle. Similarly, a volleyball mouth guard can shield your teeth from injuries caused by an opponent’s hand accidentally hitting your mouth while attempting to block a shot.
Who should wear a mouthguard?
All athletes require excellent protection to maintain their focus, agility, and performance during sports activities.
The Australian Dental Association recommends wearing a mouthguard for any sport that carries a risk of injury to the mouth and teeth. This includes not only contact sports but also non-contact activities like gymnastics and skateboarding.
Finding your ideal fit
Sporting goods stores and pharmacies offer a wide range of mouthguards. However, due to variations in size and fit, not every mouthguard will be suitable for you. Wearing an ill-fitting guard can actually increase your risk of injury by causing discomfort and uneven distribution of impact forces.
Even boil-and-bite guards, which can be softened at home for a better fit, may not provide adequate protection against intense impacts.
The best option is to get a customized mouth guard that is tailored to fit your unique jaw structure and tooth alignment. While custom-made mouthguards may cost more initially, they can save you thousands of dollars in potential medical bills down the line.
Bottom Line
Investing in a high-quality, custom-fitted mouth guard is a smart choice for any athlete. It can protect your mouth from serious injuries, some of which can be extremely costly to treat. If you’re looking for professional guidance on selecting the right mouthguard for your needs, consider visiting Bayswater Dentist. Our experienced team can help you find the perfect fit to keep your smile safe while you enjoy your favourite sports activities.