No one expects to get injured when playing sports, but it happens. Football players wear pads to protect their bodies and helmets to protect their heads. This is mandatory equipment because we know it works. Unfortunately, most people don’t think about their teeth when it comes to protection and, even though we know it prevents injury, athletic mouthguards are often not a required piece of equipment. But they should be! And not just for high contact sports like football or hockey. Even sports like baseball, especially with younger kids, can benefit from the use of mouthguards.
Accidents Can Happen
Think back to when you first started playing a sport. Or maybe you have a son or daughter just starting out. Let’s look at softball for an example. While baseball or softball typically aren’t considered contact sports, that ball is often off the mark when it comes to early learning. A child can misjudge where the ball and their glove are and can often take a ball to the mouth. Without a mouthguard in place, this often means a lost or broken tooth or damage to the lip from a tooth. With a black mouthguard in place, the teeth are protected and there is less chance of a serious injury.
Mouthguards Protect the Teeth
When another player or an object, such as a batt or ball, strike your mouth, the force can damage or crack a tooth. In severe hits, it can dislodge or completely knock out a tooth. Mouthguards work to protect the teeth from impact by absorbing and distributing the force, lessening its impact on the teeth. This provided cushion helps keep your teeth safe from a direct hit. One sport that sees a ton of direct hits to the face is soccer. We recommend that all soccer players wear a soccer mouthguard.
Athletic Mouthguards Protect the Gums and Other Soft Tissue
Your gums and cheeks consist of fragile soft tissue that can be easily damaged by the sharp edges of your teeth. A mouthguard not only covers those sharp edges and reduced the risk of cuts and lacerations to the lips and cheeks, but they extend down over the gum line, protecting the gums and roots of the teeth.
Mouthguards Protect Jaw Alignment
When you sustain a hit to the side or underneath of your jaw, you have the risk of damaging you’re the joints in your jaw, as well as fractures to the jaw. A mouthguard cushions the impact of the lower jaw against the upper, reducing the shock that the bones and joints sustain.
Athletic Mouthguards Reduce the Risk of Concussion
Not only do mouthguards reduce the risk to your teeth and jaw, but they also minimize the risk of traumatic brain injuries or concussions. However, the type of mouthguard makes a big difference. While stock mouthguards can provide some dental protection, they do not successfully protect against concussions. For this added protection, you must wear a custom-fit mouthguard.
A custom-fit mouthguard really makes a difference when it comes to dental protection! For more information about SportingSmiles custom-fit mouthguards at a fraction of the cost your dentist charges, visit our MOUTHGUARDS page today.
Studies Show the Difference Athletic Mouthguards Make
A 2014 study looked at 412 high school football players and how mouthguards played a role in concussion prevention. The players were divided into two groups. One group work typical stock mouthguards while the other groups wore personalized custom-fit mouthguards. All the players wore the same helmets. Of those wearing the stock mouthguards, 8.3 percent sustained concussions. Of those wearing custom-fit mouthguards, only 3.6 percent sustained concussions.
So, while you choose your new team number, buy a new pair of cleats, and gather up all your uniform and gear, consider making a mouthguard a “must-have” part of your uniform. No matter what sport you play, if there is a risk of facial trauma, a mouthguard can really make a difference.
To learn more about how SportingSmiles can help you choose a custom-fit athletic mouthguard, visit HERE today. We offer a patented self-impression kit that lets you make a mold in the comfort of your own home. Simply make the mold and send it back to us. Our technicians will create a custom mouthguard, without the need and expense of a dental visit. Don’t take the risk of losing a tooth or paying for costly dental work. Or worse yet, suffer a dangerous concussion. Athletic mouthguards are proven to make a difference, so take the step to protect your teeth, jaw, and head today!
