There is a high risk of physical injury in contact sports, such as boxing, basketball, football, hockey, and rugby. It’s why athletes and sports players wear helmets and pads to protect their heads, elbows, knees, and legs from physical injuries.
However, most people overlook the importance of mouthguards and teeth protection. According to ADA-NSW, 40% of dental injuries in Australia are sports-related. What is more concerning is that only one-third of Australians wear a mouthguard while playing contact sports.
Trauma and injuries due to contact sports can not only cause teeth loss but also damage the soft tissues of the mouth. In severe cases, it can lead to jaw injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and neck injuries. The worst thing about these injuries is that they can permanently limit your ability to participate in your favourite sport.
Experts recommend wearing a sports mouthguard to protect yourself from physical injuries and ensure your oral health.
So, what is a mouthguard?
A mouthguard is a dental device that covers teeth. It acts as a cushion that absorbs and disperses impact forces. As a result, it reduces the impact of contact sports accidents, protecting teeth, gums, and jaw from potential injuries.
There are 3 types of mouthguard:
- Stock mouth protectors: These come ready to wear. They are made of rubber or polyvinyl and tend to be inexpensive. However, they are bulky, uncomfortable, and difficult to adjust, so dentists don’t recommend using them.
- Boil and bite mouth protectors: These mouthguards are made of thermoplastic. You have to place them in hot water to soften them. After this, you can place them in the mouth and shape them around the teeth using tongue pressure or your finger.
- Custom-fitted mouth protectors: As the name suggests, these mouthguards are customised to the user’s needs. A reputable sports mouthguard dentist like Sandgate Family Dental can design your mouthguard. The dentist will take an impression of your teeth and design a mouthguard according to your jaw size and shape.
What are the Benefits of Wearing a Mouthguard?
- Protect Your Teeth: Collisions are common during contact sports. This results in chipped, broken and knocked-out teeth. However, a mouthguard for sports absorbs and disperses the impact of force and helps reduce the chances of dental injuries.
- Protect Dental Restorations: People who recently have undergone dental restorations, such as crowns, braces, and bridges, must be extra careful during contact sports. Mouthguards provide an extra layer of protection and help safeguard your dental restorations.
- Protect Soft Tissues in the Mouth: Cuts in the mouth can occur during a collision. Mouthguards protect not only teeth but also the soft tissues of gums, lips, and cheeks. When you wear a mouthguard, you protect your lips, cheeks, and tongue from being cut.
- Prevent Unintentional Cuts: Accidental tongue and inner cheek biting can occur during physical contact in sports. However, a properly fitted mouthguard creates a barrier between your teeth and tongue or cheeks. As a result, it reduces the risk of injuries, enabling athletes to focus on the game only.
- Reduce the Risk of Dental Concussions: Contact sports pose more risk of developing facial and dental sports injuries. Dental trauma that has not broken, displaced, or damaged the teeth but caused stretching or crushing of the ligament around the teeth can lead to a concussion. However, it has been found that wearing a mouthguard during sports can significantly reduce the chances of sports-related concussions.
- Prevent Tooth Loss: Sports injuries can cause permanent tooth loss. As a result, you have to undergo various cosmetic surgery procedures to restore your tooth. However, a mouthguard acts as a barrier, preventing tooth loss or displacement, especially during intense physical injury.
The Bottom Line
Wearing a mouthguard is essential for anyone participating in contact sports as it helps to protect teeth, gums, and soft tissues in the mouth
While there are different dental mouthguards for sports, custom-fitted ones are relatively more effective and comfortable. So, if you want to customise your mouthguards and are seeking an experienced dental team, you can rely on Sandgate Family Dental.
We offer a range of dental services, from preventative and restorative dentistry to cosmetic services, emergency treatment and children’s dentistry. We use the latest technology and techniques to ensure you get the best treatment.
So, what are you waiting for? Book your appointment online now for a consultation.
