What Safety Does A Professional Sports Mouthguard Provide?

What Safety Does A Professional Sports Mouthguard Provide?

What Safety Does A Professional Sports Mouthguard Provide?

While we provide our teeth with plenty of care by daily cleaning, and make routine visits to the dentist to ensure that there are no underlying issues with our dental health, we are often less vigilant about preserving our teeth during sporting activities.

Physical sports often require contact with the body, and the involvement can result in injuries. Sport injuries may include any part of the body, and when it comes to possible injuries, the mouth is no exception. A misplaced pass, or flailing arm, or even falling awkwardly, all can cause potential mouth damage. A custom mouthguard is designed by a dentist to suit the patients snugly and comfortably. Every sportsperson should consider using a mouthguard in both realistic and competitive sports, as well as in exercise, to protect teeth, gums and jaws.

Mouthguards work by absorbing the impact of blows to the mouth and by spreading the force of the blow across the mouth instead of the focused point where the blow was centered. The guard helps protect the teeth from chipping or cracking, and sometimes completely from teeth loss. The mouthguard fits over the teeth of the individual, and protects the bones, gums, and jaw.

There are several sports where contact is high and the risk of mouth or jaw injury is also high. Some of the most popular sports requiring the use of a dental mouthguards include:

  • Rugby 
  • Basketball
  • Baseball 
  • Volleyball 
  • Soccer 
  • Lacrosse 
  • Football

 Here, we specifically share four ways a professional dental mouthguard can provide protection for athletes. We also have some tips on how to keep your mouthguard and how to clean it.

 

1. A custom sports mouthguard can help protect your teeth 

There are a range of relatively decent mouthguards in all sports on the market. Nonetheless, a dentist’s custom sports mouthguard is specifically made for “your” teeth and jaw, which can provide better protection.

A custom-made dental mouthguard help to soften any blow to the jaw. It will significantly reduce your teeth’s risk of damage, and help avoid broken or chipped teeth. Not only does it protect against knocking out a tooth but it also protects against tooth cracks and fractures. The mouthguard would work by extending the force of the blow to a wider area, rather than just the single contact point.

In most athletes, their upper teeth are more protruding forward than their lower teeth, ensuring that when struck, the upper teeth usually take up more of the force. Dental sports mouthguards for the upper teeth are most common, since the lower teeth are set further back and are usually more secure.

 If you are an athlete and need mouth protection for your sport, consider getting our dentist’s produced custom sports mouthguards. The dentist will determine whether you should have a full mouthguard or just an upper mouthguard on your teeth during your appointment.

 

2. Sports mouthguards protect the jaw as well

A custom sports mouthguard’s versatility can help displace the impact of a hit and avoid banging the teeth together. It will also spread the pressure exerted during a hit to the jawbone and help avoid a fracture or break in the jaw. To secure your jaw and teeth, you can think of a mouthguard as an extra padding

 

3. Safety included for your tongue, lips, cheeks and gums  

Were you aware that the soft tissues in your mouth may take weeks to heal and can even cause scars when injured? Mouthguards not only protect your real teeth and jaw but also protect your tongue, lips and cheek lining soft tissues.

 

4. A customized sports mouthguard can protect your braces 

Regardless of age, any athlete wearing bracelets should seriously consider having a professional mouthguard made for them. The metal brackets and any other orthodontic appliances mounted in the mouth will be covered. Only the mouthguard protects the cheek and lips from the impact of the gums on the braces.

As mentioned, many athletes may only wear a mouthguard on their upper teeth, but if you have top and bottom braces, we highly recommended that our orthodontists make an upper and lower custom mouthguard.

 

Additional Tips for Fitness Persons

Taking good care of your custom sports mouthguards between games and practices is very necessary, because this will help prolong your life. Here are a few tips on treatment to consider:

  • Always store your mouthguard and transport it in its proper container
  • The container should provide vents to allow the mouthguard to air dry and prevent the growth of bacteria
  • Cleaning your mouthguard is highly recommended before and after-use
  • Using a toothbrush and toothpaste to cleanse properly

 A custom dental mouthguard may also be used to treat bruxism and TMJ disorders, in addition to avoiding dental injuries when playing sports. 

 Dental Lab Direct will be able to provide the perfectmouth-guard for your smile and the sport you’re playing. To make an appointment with one of our technicians, please contact us online by calling or requesting a dental appointment!