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Apr 25, 2024
Mouth guards are the dental support system of athletes who play contact sports. These athletes play dangerous games that have a high risk of physical injuries and trauma. Since teeth and gums are highly vulnerable to damage due to high-impact blows and falls, it is vital to protect them with mouth guards. Helmets also play a significant role in this regard, but mouth guards add an extra shield to protect the jaws.
Mouth guards are dental devices that cover the teeth while playing high contact sports like boxing, football, rugby, hockey, etc. Hope Island dentists recommend mouth guards to everyone playing such sports to keep their teeth and gums safe from harm done by clenching, grinding and injuries.
Here are five benefits of wearing mouth guards for contact sports. This information will give you to reason to purchase the right device without any second thoughts.
1. Mouth Guards Protect Teeth From Falling Out
The worst result of a bad fall or injury on the field can be knocking out a tooth or breaking a tooth. Losing a natural tooth can be traumatic and impact the player's physical appearance. If not treated on time, it can create a permanent gap that must be filled with an implant. It is vital to get dental emergencies treated as soon as possible by an experienced dentist in Hope Island to prevent permanent damage.
Thus, the Australian Dental Association recommends using a custom-fitted mouth guard for sports like football, hockey, baseball, basketball, cricket, water polo, etc. The ready-to-wear device offers ample protection against jolts, strikes, collisions and tripping over. Besides safeguarding teeth from knocking off, mouth guards protect the enamel from chipping or the teeth from cracking.
2. Mouth Guards Prevent Biting Your Tongue
Biting your tongue can be extremely painful and cause bleeding. It is possible to bite your tongue when playing a contact sport requiring tremendous physical effort. The bite can be severe, piercing through the soft tissue of the tongue and making eating food painful for some days.
Thus, mouth guards are helpful in saving players from biting their tongues as well as lips, gums and inner walls of the mouth. These devices are available in different forms, such as stock, boil and bite and custom-fitted mouth guards. The stock mouth guards are pre-made and can be purchased from local stores. However, they may not fit properly over the teeth. The customisable option should be preferred for a perfect fit.
3. Mouth Guards Keep Dental Restorations Safe
Sports players who have recently undergone dental treatments or cosmetic procedures, such as placement of veneers, braces and crowns, need to keep them safe. These are made from porcelain, acrylic or ceramic and can be broken due to high-impact falls or strikes. Thus, dentists in Hope Island make their patients use mouth guards when playing a contact sport. It keeps the restorations safe and prevents any injury to the teeth and gums due to broken crowns or braces.
Sportspersons have to go through gruelling exercise routines and practice sessions besides playing actual events. It makes them clench and grind their teeth frequently and can become an involuntary reaction. However, this can affect the teeth negatively by eroding the protective enamel. Thus, most practitioners suggest using mouth guards at night for bruxism.
4. Avoid Serious Injuries With Mouth Guards
While playing various contact sports, you can fall on your face, get hit by another player, or receive a blow on the jaw. Most athletes wear mouth guards to prevent their mouths from getting badly injured. Some studies suggest that these devices can reduce the risk of concussions and brain injuries since they endure the impact of the blow and prevent it from reaching the mouth.
Thus, custom-fitted mouth guards can easily prevent jaw dislocation and mouth fractures. Since the mouth is more vulnerable to serious injuries than other parts of the body, it must be protected effectively with the help of a custom-fitted device created by an expert Hope Island dentist.
5. Mouth Guards Can Help Save Money
When a player wears a mouth guard, the risk of dental injuries is significantly reduced. Thus, the sportsperson does not have to spend on treatments and emergency procedures. Also, players can focus more on the sport than getting hit in the face during a match.
It ensures they are not worried about breaking their jaw or neck and can play without hesitation. The device helps to protect the costly braces, crowns and implants and saves a lot of money. They are not expensive and can be customised by dentists for the individual to fit over the teeth and gums comfortably. They absorb the impact that can affect the jaw and can be cleaned easily.
Wrapping Up
Mouth guards are used over the upper teeth and can be worn by adults and children while playing contact sports. They are helpful for sportspersons and people suffering from bruxism and obstructive sleep apnoea.
