Being involved in sports is a great way to keep a fit body and mind, as physical fitness is important for a healthy lifestyle. On the other hand, sports can cause injuries and problems that can be avoided with the right equipment and dental appliance. A single blow to the mouth or jaw can heavily affect one’s smile. The goal is to avoid this from happening in the first place by choosing the appropriate dental appliance to protect your smile while playing sports. Mouthguards are oral appliances covering your teeth to protect them from injury while playing contact sports. Athletes who participate in contact sports such as football or boxing are at a higher risk of dental injuries, so mouthguards are necessary.
What are the risks of not wearing sports mouthguards?
Athletes who do not wear a sports mouthguard risk painful injuries to their lips, tongue, face, jaw, and teeth. Health and dental emergencies such as the following are common sports injuries that occur without the use of a mouthguard:
- Chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth
- Damage to the teeth’s nerves and roots
- Lip and cheek injuries
- Injured jaws
- Cracked dental works (dental fillings, crowns and bridges, etc.)
Who should wear mouthguards?
Even if mouth guards are not a uniform requirement, all athletes, especially young athletes, should wear them while playing sports. High-impact contact sports such as football, hockey, rugby, lacrosse, baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, boxing, wrestling, soccer, and martial arts put athletes’ faces, mouths, and jaws at risk. Mouthguards can also help those who participate in non-contact sports and recreational activities like gymnastics, figure skating, skateboarding, rollerblading, horseback riding, and mountain biking. When playing these sports, wearing a mouthguard significantly reduces the risk of mouth and jaw injuries. Apart from people who are not wearing any other dental appliances, people who have braces can still wear mouthguards. Dental experts suggest that people can still wear mouthguards even with braces. Visit your Edmonton dentist to know more about sports mouthguards.
5 Ways On How To Care For Your Sports Mouthguard
Caring for your mouthguard will help keep it clean and in good condition. And if your mouth guard becomes worn out, it will need to be replaced since it will no longer provide you with the best protection. Below are the ways how to care for your mouthguard:
- Keep your mouthguard away from any heat sources such as hot water and the sun to avoid melting or deformation.
- Avoid chewing the mouthguard
- Rinse well before and after each use, and brush gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
- When not in use, store your mouthguard in its protective case with adequate ventilation.
- Replace it if it doesn’t fit properly or is worn out for maximum protection.
It is important to take care of your smile while playing your favourite sports. A single mouthguard can protect your mouth and can go a long way from any serious oral injuries. Visit your orthodontist in Edmonton at Design Dentistry to know more about mouthguards. Call us now at 780-484-8138 to book your appointment!
