Do You Need to Wear a Mouthguard When Playing A Sport?
With sports back on the agenda following COVID-19 cancellations, now is a good time to think about whether you need to be wearing a mouthguard to protect your teeth and jaw from impact and injury.
In this article, we’re looking at the different types of mouthguards available and why it’s important to wear an effective mouthguard when you’re playing sport.
What is a sports mouthguard?
A sports mouthguard is a removable protective device made of rubber or polyvinyl, most commonly worn over your top teeth. Mouthguards are designed to protect your teeth and jaw from sport-related impact injuries to the head and face.
These types of injuries are most likely in sports such as rugby, football, basketball, baseball, soccer and hockey, which come with a higher risk of accidental blows to the face.
What type of mouthguard is best?
There are two main types of mouthguard:
- A store-bought mouthguard
- A dentist-fitted custom mouthguard
Store-bought mouthguards are generally cheaper than dentist-fitted mouthguards - but this is often reflective of their effectiveness. In a lot of cases, store-bought mouthguards are poorly-fitting and bulkier than custom ones, which can make it harder to breathe when wearing them.
Cheap store-bought mouthguards can sometimes do more harm than good, especially when they are ill-fitting and used on teeth that are still developing.
A custom mouthguard, on the other hand, is made to fit your teeth and suit the type of sport you’re playing, as well as being made from a highly durable material. This makes it much more effective at protecting your teeth and avoiding dental trauma.
How is a custom mouthguard fitted?
When you get a custom mouthguard fitted by a National Dental Care Group practitioner, your dentist will take a mould of your teeth to ensure a precise fit.
The mouthguard is then made to fit your measurements, using a durable material that protects your teeth while being comfortable to wear and easy to breathe in.
You can even choose to customise your mouthguard in your team colours, name tag or pictures.
Do I need to update my mouthguard?
It’s a good idea to have your mouthguard checked regularly and updated if needed to ensure its continued effectiveness in protecting your teeth and preventing injury. You can request to have a mouthguard fitting with your check-up and clean.
To find out more about protecting your teeth during sports with a custom-fitted mouthguard, speak to your National Dental Care / DB Dental dentist - online today.