In the thrilling world of sports, athletes are well aware of the importance of wearing protective gear to avoid injuries. While helmets and padding remain indispensable, incorporating a custom-fit sports mouthguard into your game-day gear will significantly boost your oral protection strategy.
Beyond proper brushing, flossing, and regular dentist visits, ensuring a healthy, radiant smile also involves taking simple steps to safeguard your teeth, jaws, and the soft tissues within and around your mouth from injury.
With more people participating in organized sports and recreational activities, there's been an increase in sports-related injuries. According to recent estimates from the American Dental Association, 10-20% of all sports injuries involve the maxillofacial region—that is, the teeth, jaws, and tissues in and around the mouth.
But here's the good news: wearing a well-fitted mouthguard drastically reduces the risk of oral injury and associated damage. It's estimated that almost 200,000 dental injuries are prevented each year thanks to mouthguards.
Sports mouthguards are designed to cushion and safeguard the teeth and surrounding tissues. By fitting snugly, they minimize the likelihood that a blow to the face will cause broken teeth or accompanying injuries to the lips, tongue, face, and jaw. Some studies even suggest that wearing a mouthguard may help mitigate the force of impact transmitted to the brain.
Wearing a custom-fit sports mouthguard is beneficial in various recreational activities and sports. It's particularly crucial for athletes engaged in contact sports like football, rugby, hockey, or martial arts. A mouthguard also makes sense for solo athletic pursuits with a high likelihood of falling or getting hit with an object. Besides contact sports, the American Dental Association recommends skateboarders, skiers, gymnasts, shot-putters, skydivers, surfers, and weightlifters wear mouthguards.
Today's market offers diverse types of mouthguards, each offering different levels of protection. Before selecting one, it's best to consult with our office. Stock mouthguards come pre-formed and ready to wear but often lack a snug fit. Boil-and-bite mouthguards offer a semi-custom fit by softening in hot water and then molding to the athlete's mouth. For the utmost protection, consider a custom-fit mouthguard tailor-made based on your unique smile characteristics. These custom guards boast a precise fit while providing optimal protection and shock absorption, allowing for comfortable breathing and talking.
At the office of Bullitt Dental, PLLC, we prioritize maintaining your trust and ensuring your oral health remains in top shape. If you'd like to learn more about sports mouthguards or how our dedicated staff can help you maintain a healthy, attractive smile, give us a call today.