Staying active and playing sports are great ways to stay in shape, but they can be bad news for your smile if you aren’t prepared. Nearly 40% of all dental injuries are related to sports, which accounts for more than 600,000 trips to the emergency room every year. Thankfully, you or your child can avoid a sudden trip to your Houston emergency dentist with a custom-made sports mouthguard. Read on to learn more about this essential piece of equipment and how it works to protect your smile.
How Do Sports Mouthguards Work?
Mouthguards may be small, but they play a big role in keeping smiles safe and intact during sports. They look very similar to a nightguard you would wear to prevent teeth grinding or snoring. This u-shaped tray is designed to fit over your teeth and shield them from external impacts and crashing into each other. While there are plenty of “boil-and-bite” mouthguards available for purchase at your local grocery store or pharmacy, these products tend to wear down quickly and feel uncomfortable to wear. On the other hand, a custom-made mouthguard from your dentist is crafted specifically for your unique smile for maximum protection and ease of use.
What Do Sports Mouthguards Protect Against?
A sports mouthguard may do a whole lot more than you realize. These little devices can:
- Protect against partially dislodged or fully knocked-out teeth.
- Protect against injury to the soft tissues, such as the tongue and lips.
- Prevent teeth and jaw fractures.
- Prevent chipped, cracked, and broken teeth.
- Lower your risk of concussions, according to some studies.
Which Sports Should I Wear a Mouthguard for?
Unfortunately, many people don’t wear a sports mouthguard when they should. The National Federation of State High School Associates (NFHS) only requires the use of mouthguards for five sports: football, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, and wrestling. However, studies indicate that only about two-thirds of athletes who play these sports comply. The American Dental Association recommends wearing a properly fitting mouthguard while participating in a wide range of activities, including:
- Basketball, racquetball, rugby, soccer, softball, and volleyball.
- Boxing, martial arts, and weightlifting.
- Skateboarding, inline skating, and bicycling.
- Surfing, water polo, skiing, and snowboarding.
- Acrobatics and gymnastics.
Whether you or your loved one is staying active professionally, for school, or just for fun, a sports mouthguard is an essential piece of equipment that you shouldn’t go without. Talk to your Houston dentist today about protecting your pearly whites and preventing dental emergencies with a custom-made mouthguard.
About the Author
Dr. Cher Rich is proud to offer high-quality, long-lasting custom sports mouthguards for smiles of all ages in Houston and the surrounding areas. For over a decade, she’s helped her patients maintain excellent oral health with routine checkups and preventive care like sports mouthguards. However, should you or a loved one experience a dental emergency, she and her team will do everything they can to see you as soon as possible. To learn more about sports mouthguards, she can be contacted via her website or at (281) 469-6281.