Are you considering taking up a competitive sport? Or are you the parent of a child who hasn’t recently been picked for a team at school? The list of essentials to buy to be team-ready may include a sports mouthguard. This may leave you wondering if this is all that essential.
This may be a question you ask your dentist when you go for the regular teeth whitening Mornington Peninsula dental clinics offer. Your dentist will inform you that sports players are more than 60 times more likely to suffer damage to their teeth or injury to their mouths without a guard.
What is a Sports Mouthguard?
Simply put, a sports mouthguard is a device that serves to protect your teeth and jaw from injury. These guards are essential in sports such as rugby, hockey, and boxing where intentional collisions are part of the game.
Other sports such as netball, cricket, and soccer can also see a significant amount of accidental collisions. If mouthguards aren’t worn, you or your child could suffer serious dental trauma.
Mouthguards can be made from a range of materials, the most common being Ethylene Vinyl Acetate or EVA. The EVA is moulded over the individuals’ teeth which means it’s an exact fit for them. This increases the EVA efficacy and is comfortable for the user.
Mouth and Tooth Protection is Essential
The Australian Dental Association recommends that mouthguards must be worn by anyone taking part in a sport that carries the risk of contact to the face. This can include skateboarding, martial arts, water polo and horse riding. That said, here are the top reasons why mouthguards are always a good idea.
1. Protects Against Tooth Fractures
The number one reason to wear a sports mouth guard is to protect the wearer against broken teeth. It’s essential to point out that many tooth fractures can’t be saved, and the tooth will need to be removed.
Some treatment types that your dentist may need to perform in the case of a tooth fracture may include the following:
- Add a tooth crown
- Perform a root canal
- Extract the tooth
2. Reduces Tooth Displacement
Even a minor blow to the jaw can cause one or a few teeth to become fully or partially dislodged. While these are easier to fix than broken teeth, it’s still not something you’d want your child to endure. The mouthguard will serve as a cushion and will absorb a significant amount of the impact.
3. Minimises the Chances of Knocked Out Teeth
The last thing you’ll want is for your child to have one or a few of their teeth knocked out because you didn’t opt for a mouth guard. Avoid this by ensuring that your child is always wearing their mouthguard during any sports events.
It’s a good idea to have more than a mouthguard made. If your child misplaces their guard, they’ll have a spare to use while a new one is being made. This will ensure that no one needs to miss any games, and you’ll have peace of mind that your children’s teeth and gums are protected.
4. Protects Against Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries are a common occurrence in a variety of sports. These happen when a ball, bat, or another player hits another individual in the face. This can cause teeth to cut into the cheeks, lips, or gums.
Bleeding and bruising may also occur. There have also been a few severe cases where a child’s bottom tooth has gone through their lip. Wearing a mouth guard means that the teeth will not only be protected but also be covered so that they don’t cut into other parts of the mouth.
5. Reduces the Likelihood of Jaw Fractures
Vigorous sports can often result in blows to the head or face which can cause the bottom and top jaws to slam against each other. Since there’s no space in your mouth for one of your jaw bones to move, one or both will absorb the full impact.
This will not only result in the jaw being fractured but may also see the individual damaging several of their teeth and gums. The impact may also cause a concussion. Many people who experience a jaw fracture will require surgery and months of subsequent dental rehabilitation.
Wearing a mouth guard will provide some padding and will help to absorb some of the impact. While the guard alone may not offer 100% protection for an injury of this nature, it will go along toward protecting teeth and gums which will drastically lessen the type of treatment required.
Final Thoughts
These reasons make it clear that sports mouthguards should be an essential part of any sports kit. Protect your or your kid’s teeth and gums by getting a sports mouthguard and a spare before your next sports session.
You’ll have peace of mind that issues such as jaw fractures and tooth displacements are less likely to happen. Enjoy your sports without the stress of a mouth injury!
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.