Team sports are a great hobby for many but come with the risk of injury when the right protective gear isn’t worn. This is why protective mouth guards for athletes are necessary when playing sports either for recreation or competitively. Many types of mouthguards are available at sporting goods stores and online, but it’s best to see your dentist for a custom-fitted mouth guard that will ensure the best protection for your teeth and jaw.
Mouthguards are worn in a large number of sports activities and are able to prevent many injuries from happening. Let’s take a look at what they can protect athletes from, how mouth guards work, and which sports require mouth protectors.
Injuries Prevented with Mouth Guards
Broken teeth – dental injuries like cracked or broken teeth can occur without the use of a mouth guard to cushion the impact of a heavy blow.
Jaw damage – mouth guards can prevent or at least greatly reduce the severity of injuries to the jaw. They reduce the amount of shock caused by a hit in contact sports.
Injured lips or cheeks – when left uncovered during sporting activities, teeth can cause damage to the lip or cheeks from accidental bites.
Concussions – mouth guards can actually reduce the overall cranial impact of a potential concussion when the chin or jaw is hit with great force.
How Mouth Guards Work
Mouth guards, or sportsguards, form a protective layer between your teeth and the point of impact during sports. On average, between 3 and 5 million teeth are knocked out during sports activities. While mouth guards are meant to protect your child’s teeth and jaw from damage while playing, it’s important to obtain one that fits correctly and replace them when needed.
When Mouth Guards Are Required
The American Dental Association recommends wearing custom mouthguards for the following sports: acrobats, basketball, boxing, field hockey, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, roller hockey, rugby, shot putting, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, squash, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, and wrestling. Visit your dentist for a custom-fitted mouthguard that protects you or your child from sustaining tooth or mouth injuries during these sports.
Protecting Children’s Teeth From Sports-Related Injury
Don’t risk any injury to your child’s smile during their sports games, consider protective mouth guards for athletes. Your children will feel more secure when they get on the playing field knowing that they have the protection they need from any impact.
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