Sports Mouth Guards Essential Dental Appliances to Prevent Injuries

Athletes involved in sporting activity, whether contact or non-contact, are prone to the risks of falling and incurring injuries impacting their faces. Mouthguards help protect your teeth and prevent them from injuring your lips and tongue.

Suppose you are involved in a sporting activity like football, basketball, boxing, soccer, field hockey, ice hockey, gymnastics, skateboarding, in-line skating, cycling, wrestling, and softball. In that case, you must consider using a custom dental mouthguard to safeguard your oral cavity.

In many cases, you can think of having a stock mouthguard or a boil and bite mouthguard for protection when playing sports. Stock mouth guards are inexpensive are an excellent option to have if you intend to use them occasionally.

Boil and bite mouthguards, although a little expensive for you a better fit, helping them remain in your mouth. If you are frequently participating in high-impact sports, you benefit from a boil and bite mouthguard.

Types of Sports Mouthguards You Can Have

There are three types of sports mouthguards you can consider when involved in sporting activity.

1. Stock Mouthguards: Stock mouthguards are widely available and the most affordable variety available on the market. Purchasing them is easy because it merely requires a visit to drugstores or sporting goods stores. They are also available at affordable prices from online retailers.

Stock mouthguards are available in three sizes-small, medium, and large and only help cover the top teeth. Due to their limited size options, they are most often uncomfortable without providing a proper fit. Unfortunately, they are used by many sports professionals and athletes because of their inexpensive nature and ease of availability.

2. Boil and Bite Mouthguards: Boil and bite mouthguards are similar to stock mouthguards and are sold in most drugstores at low prices. Boil and bite mouthguards are not available in different sizes and come in one size. You can customize the mouthguard to fit your teeth by boiling the appliance until it softens, placing it over your front teeth, and biting down. You must follow the instructions on the package to get the best fit.

3. Custom Made Dental Mouthguard: Dental mouthguards customized by your dentist that the best variety you can have. These customized appliances from the dentist are created explicitly for the structure of your teeth and mouth.

Dentists take a mold of your teeth for use to customize the dental appliance for you. Dental mouthguards provide a better fit than stock mouthguards or the boil and bite variety, making them more comfortable and difficult to dislodge when sleeping or playing sports. Unfortunately, the higher prices of custom-made dental mouthguards deter many people from using them despite the realization these devices offer the best protection. Custom mouthguards are more expensive than over-the-counter varieties, but many insurance plans cover the costs of appliances.

Caring for Appliances like Mouthguards

When you purchase a dental mouth guard for protection, you must understand the appliance also needs some protection from damage and keep it clean as it spends plenty of time in your mouth. If you intend to benefit the most from your customized appliances, please follow the steps mentioned below:

• Brush & floss your teeth before wearing the mouthguard.
• Rinse your mouthguard with cool water or mouthwash before inserting and after removing it from your mouth. Do not use hot water for the rinsing because it can warp its shape.
• Clean the mouthguard using a toothbrush and toothpaste after every use.
• Frequently check the mouthguard for damages, indicating it is time to get a replacement.
• Take your mouthguard with you to any dental appointments you have. The dentist can ensure it still fits correctly and functions.
• Store your mouthguard in a rigid container with ventilation for protection and to allow it to dry between uses.
• Keep the mouthguard away from the reach of pets even after storing it in a container.

Mouthguards don’t last forever like every other dental appliance. Whenever you notice signs of wear and tear on the device or every two to three years, replace the mouthguard if using a custom-made instrument. However, you may need to replace stock mouthguards and the boil and bite variety more frequently as they are not as durable as appliances created by the dentist.

Choose a dentist-created dental mouth guard for optimal protection over stock mouthguards or the boil and bite variety.