A mouth guard is a useful piece of equipment for any athlete who engages in sports where impacts to the body are common. Mouth guards are made to protect teeth and gums from serious damage that could affect a person’s dental health for the long term.
Mouth Injury Facts
Athletes who participate in contact sports and other athletic activities that can cause trauma to the mouth are especially vulnerable to dental injuries. Statistics cited by NCBI indicate that dental injuries may occur in up to 80 percent of athletes. Many of these injuries happen to the maxilla, central maxilla incisors and upper lip. The most common types of tooth injuries from playing sports include fracture, avulsion, and subluxation. Football, hockey, boxing, and martial arts are among the most common sports where mouth trauma is known to occur.
The Structure of Mouth Guards
Mouthguards come in three different styles: stock mouth protectors, boil and bite mouth protectors, and custom-fitted mouth protectors. Your dentist will likely recommend a custom-fitted mouth protector that is designed according to the size of your mouth and the layout of structures inside the oral cavity. A custom-fitted mouth protector is created by taking an impression of the teeth and using the mold to design a guard that will fit over the teeth precisely. A more precise fit makes the guard more comfortable to wear and allows it to provide adequate protection. Most mouth protectors are made to fit over the upper teeth only, but another guard can be designed to go over the lower teeth if necessary.
How Mouth Guards Help
A mouth guard acts as an extra barrier for teeth and gums to protect them from trauma. When a puck, ball or body part from another player hits the mouth, the guard will be in place to shield the delicate structures inside the mouth. Mouth guards also protect the oral structures during falls. In addition to the teeth and gums, the best mouth guards are able to protect the lips, tongue and other soft tissues of the mouth.
Here at North View Dental, we offer mouth guards to athletes who want to stay in the game without having to worry about dental injuries. We will make sure that your mouth guard fits comfortably inside your mouth and gives you adequate protection to safeguard your oral health. Our caring and competent team members are ready to assist you with all your dental needs here in our comfortable and professional office. Contact North View Dental today to schedule an appointment and learn more about the importance of wearing mouth guards regularly while playing sports.
