If you play a contact sport, a mouth guard is a must to protect your teeth - and your season. While these sports are invigorating, an elbow (or ball) to the mouth can quickly end your season and send you to the emergency room with a pricey and painful injury. Wearing a mouth guard can help protect you from these dangers and ensure that you are ready to smoke the competition without worrying about the possibility of serious dental injuries.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), one-third of dental emergencies are caused by sports-related incidents. They recognize the preventative value of sports mouth guards to avoid these injuries, with an estimated 200,000 dental injuries that could have been avoided through the use of mouth guards during activity and contact sports. These dental injuries include obvious sports injuries like cracked or chipped teeth, but a lack of proper mouth guard can lead to concussions and severe jaw or neck injuries.
Who should wear a dental guard? If you or your child plays a high-contact sport such as hockey or football, a guard is necessary. Research shows that dental guards can also provide beneficial protection for low-contact sports such as gymnastics, basketball, and skiing, where dental injuries are less commonplace but can still have damaging and lasting effects.
A properly fitting guard covers the top row of teeth, providing a cushioned barrier between your teeth and the point of impact, lessening the pressure placed on your jaw and preventing teeth from being knocked loose during the impact. While there are many options out there ranging in cost, there are three main categories of mouth guards:
Stock guards can be widely purchased and take a "one size fits all" approach with no ability to customize the guard to your unique jaw size and shape. While these mouth guards are the least expensive option, they can often cause discomfort during activity due to the poor fit. While a stock guard is better than no protection, it is not recommended as a long-term solution.
Boil and bite guards can also be found and purchased widely, though they aim to provide athletes with additional comfort through material that can be placed in boiling water and then molded to the athletes' teeth. This type of guard can provide additional comfort through a personal fit, allowing athletes to breathe easily during activity.
Custom mouth can be purchased through your dentist and will provide the highest level of comfort and protection during activity. They are professionally molded to fit your jaw and teeth and are typically made with the most durable materials, allowing for a comfortable fit and durability.
Whether you use a stock or custom guard, adding this to your equipment can help protect your teeth and avoid the preventable injuries that can occur during activity.
Rudell Gary S. Jacinto, DMD offers custom mouth guards in the Los Angeles area. Are you ready to learn more? Call our office to get started or schedule a consultation.
Request an appointment here: https://www.ladentalsmile.com or call Rudell Gary S. Jacinto, DMD at (323) 203-0598 for an appointment in our Los Angeles office.
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