A Proper fitting mouthguard is one of the most important pieces of equipment for any sport you play! Mouthguards provide many benefits, such as:
1. PROTECT YOUR TEETH: Protection against teeth damage is one of the key benefits of wearing a mouthguard during contact sports. Broken, chipped, fractured, or knocked-out teeth are some of the most common injuries sustained during sports.
2. PROTECT YOUR ORAL SOFT TISSUES: Using a mouthguard when playing sports helps prevent damage to other parts of your mouth, such as the lips, gums, cheeks, and tongue. This is because the guard can prevent accidental biting or cutting of these structures!
3. PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY: Apart from protecting your teeth and soft tissues, wearing a mouthguard can protect you from serious injuries during contact sports. Investing in a quality mouthguard can absorb a blow to the jaw, preventing injuries such as jaw fractures, concussion, and neck injuries.
4. PROTECT YOUR DENTAL WORK: Dental restorations such as crowns, braces, and bridges are at risk of being damaged in contact sports. Damage to these restorations can hurt your mouth and cause the need for expensive replacements or repairs. Wearing a mouthguard will reduce the impact during an accident, protecting your dental work from damage.
Overall, mouthguards are important for any sports, especially contact sports! This is because they protect your teeth, mouth and head without affecting your performance. Generally speaking, there are two different types of mouthguards to choose from, these are:
1. STOCK (BOIL & BITE) MOUTHGUARDS: These are the cheapest and most readily available mouthguards. They are pre-made and available in various sizes. However, since they are pre-made, they often don't fit properly. In order to make them fit, they are required to be boiled and bit into. This allows the guard to mold to your teeth and therefore provide a tighter fit and safe fit when done properly.
3. CUSTOM MOUTHGUARDS: These mouthguards are more expensive, but they are the most effective option for athletes active in high-impact sports. Your dental team uses impressions of your teeth and mouth to create a personalized mouthguard. If you have dental restorations such as bridges and braces, the dentist takes impressions around them to ensure a precise fit.
Both options of mouthguard are effective for sports when done properly. Inquiring with your dental team about which type of guard is best for you is the best way to ensure proper protection!