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As it is evident, sports and any other kind of physical activity always include some risks, and cases of body harm are not exceptional in any sport.
While we always illuminate helmets and pads as body protection equipment, there is a very crucial tool that should never be overlooked, especially while practicing some sporting activities—the mouth guard.
It is quite a small tool; however, its role in safeguarding the athletes from harsh calamities that may occur during the game is immeasurable.
The necessity of sports mouthguards is known all over the world. Features of the mouth guard and shades of the mouth guard that seem to become the mandatory piece of equipment of each sportsman are described in this blog.
What does it mean to wear a Sports Mouth Guard?
A mouth guard is a protective appliance that is used over the teeth and gums to minimize risks that are associated with dental injuries as well as head injuries that result from various sporting activities.
It is usually a flexible material that includes thermoplastic, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA material), which conforms to the shape of the teeth of the wearer.
Why Wear a Sports Mouth Guard?
Let’s dig in more to explore why sports persons and people who are involved in physical activities need to wear a sports mouth guard.
Protection Against Dental Injuries
Sports mouth guards are primarily protective devices that are worn in athletic activities to guard the teeth and gums against injury.
This is because in football, hockey, and basketball, among other contact sports, players can easily stumble and fall, thereby falling on their mouth and causing chipped, cracked, or knocked-out teeth.
While the risk of incurring such dental injuries is considerably high, and they may be very painful and costly to treat, wearing a mouth guard reduces that risk dramatically.
Prevention of Jaw Injuries
It can also prevent the chance of jaw fractures and dislocations since a well-fitting mouthguard will effectively reduce the forces exerted on the jaws.
They noted that due to its ability to deaden the shock to the face, this guard helps protect the jaws and other related areas.
Reduced Risk of Concussions
Mouthguards have the potential to be used in the prevention of concussions, which are among the most common occurrences in most sports.
Though they do not provide for full protection, they do provide for reduction of force on the skull and consequently the brain, thus minimizing the chances of a concussion.
Defense from Soft Tissue Injuries
Mouth guards also help minimize contact with the soft tissues of the mouth part, such as the cheeks, lips, and tongue, to cuts that always result from physical contact activities. By thus offering a cushioning effect, they can hold some painful knocks and injuries inside the mouth.
Choosing the Right Mouth Guard
It is therefore essential that one gets to identify the right mouth guard that would be comfortable to wear and fit well. There are three main types of mouth guards available: There are three main types of mouthguards available:
Stock Mouth Guards
Mouthguards that hang from stocks are pre-made or pre-formed mouthguards that do not require any adjustments before they are ready to be worn. These are cheap; they do not offer the best fit and comfort as compared to the other types of shoes available. Housing often operates on standard sizes, thus they are large; moreover, they do not afford the maximum protection required.
Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guards
These mouthguards are made from a thermoplastic material that has to be boiled for it to become soft. The guard is softened, and then the athlete uses it to bite the guard to create the shape of the teeth. It is more suitable than stock mouthguards and slightly more economical than custom-made mouthguards.
Custom-Fitted Mouth Guards
They are specially molded mouth protectors ideally designed to fit over the athlete’s teeth and made according to the dental impressions of the athlete. These are custom-made, hence fit very well, are comfortable to wear, and offer the best protection but are very costly. Any serious athlete can benefit a lot from investing in a custom mouthguard.
Maintaining Your Mouth Guard
It is critical to take good care of a mouthguard to get the best from it as well as have a long-lasting one. Here are some tips for keeping your mouth guard in top condition: Here are some tips for keeping your mouth guard in top condition:
Cleaning
Clean the mouth guard with cool water before and after every use of the mouth guard. To clean, it is just like washing a plate; you should clean it using only some toothpaste and a brush, then rinse it using some warm water, but do not use hot water because the material can bend.
Storage
It is worthy of note that the mouth guard should also be kept in a case with provision for air circulation so that the mouth guard can be stored in a clean and dry condition. Do not expose it to direct sunlight or keep it where it is hot, as this damages the material used in making the product.
Regular Replacement
Make sure you have a regular check on your mouthguard so that you will know when it is time to replace it. If it is damaged, or worn out, or if your dental structure changes, it is best to replace it. Thus, when the mouth guard fits perfectly, one is assured of getting the best protection.
Conclusion
As earlier said, sports activities are evolving fast, and thus every sportsman deserves to be protected at all times. To many people, it may look like a small piece of material that is used in sports, but the sports mouth guard cannot be underestimated as it helps to prevent injuries such as dental ones, jaw fractures, and concussions.
Wearing a custom-made, well-fitted mouth guard is one of the best investments that anyone, whether a sportsman or a hobby player, can make for his or her safety during the game. Don’t let a blow or a foul knock your teeth askew or even out—wear a mouth guard every time you suit up to play sports!
