Table of contents
Athletes who play contact sports and lead action-packed lives face increased risks of injuries to their face as well as their teeth. These include injuries such as a fractured jaw, chipped teeth, or wounded lips.
To ensure this does not lead to a more severe outcome, custom sports mouthguards are made that act as an effective shield against all kinds of teeth and gum injuries. These mouthguards not only improve athletic performance but can also act as a shock absorber, along with preventing serious dental injuries such as tooth loss, jaw damage, and much more.
In this blog, we will explore the importance, uses, and benefits of sports mouthguards for athletes.
Sports Mouth Guards
According to sources from the National Library of Medicine, approximately 90% of student-athletes sustain sports injuries every year. This includes muscle injuries, head trauma, sprains, and ligament tears.
This is where a sports mouthguard comes into play, which is a high-resistance protection cushion placed between your sensitive teeth and external impacts.
Sports mouthguards are tailored according to your custom jaw structure and provide long-term comfort. There are various types of sports mouthguards that you can obtain to protect your precious teeth. Some of these include:
Custom Fit
A custom-tailored mouthguard from a reputable company such as SmilePath not only provides the perfect fit, but it also ensures your focus remains on the game without any stress about your dental health.
Boil and Bite
A boil and bite sports mouthguard requires prior heating in boiling water to soften the material. Once it has cooled down a bit, users can bite into their mouthguard to adjust the mouth guard according to their dental contours.
Stock Variety
Stock mouthguards are available in general sizes ranging from small, medium, and large. While they do provide adequate protection, their fit and comfort are not regarded the same as a custom-fit mouthguard and can cause serious discomfort when worn.
How to Choose The Ideal Sports Mouth Guard
While users can choose from a range of sports mouthguards, custom-fit sports mouthguards are usually the best choice as athletes are constantly on the lookout for comfort and performance.
Still, the ideal choice depends on the user’s requirements along with the desired results. To make the choice easier, here are some important factors to look for in a sports mouthguard:
Fit and Comfort
To ensure athletes do not suffer from any discomfort during their physical activities, custom-fit mouthguards are the way to go, as a stock mouthguard will become inconvenient and uncomfortable after some time.
Sport Choice
When choosing a sports mouthguard, one must consider what type of sports the user is going to be involved in. For example, contact sports like MMA, lacrosse, and ice hockey might require reinforced mouthguards.
Conclusion
Neglecting your dental health as an athlete can have drastic consequences if one is not careful, especially when involved in high-paced sports activities. Not using a high-performance custom mouthguard can lead to an increased chance of dental injuries, which can lead to long-term dental implications.
Furthermore, severe injuries can also result in expensive medical treatment or even surgical procedures. Which is why you need to consult with an experienced dentist to understand your tailored dental protection needs for high-performance sports. A perfect fit sports mouth guard guarantees the safety your smile truly deserves.
FAQs
1. What are mouth guards?
Mouth guards are termed as unique dental appliances that protect the teeth and jaws from all kinds of external impacts and injuries.
2. Can a sports mouth guard protect from severe injuries like concussions?
Mouth guards may not stop concussions, but they could potentially soften the impact on the jaw, which might help reduce the risk of concussions.
3. Does a sports mouth guard provide better athletic performance?
Yes, a tailored sports mouth guard provides better airflow, breathability, and fewer distractions, leading to better athletic performance.
Related Blogs:
https://smilepath.my/blogs/blog/sports-mouth-guard
https://smilepath.my/blogs/blog/sports-mouth-guard-the-ultimate-dental-shield-for-fearless-athletes
