Athletic Mouth Guards
Mouth guards come in various shapes and sizes, so it can be hard to figure out which one you need. Athletic mouth guards are designed to protect your teeth and gums during physical activity because you can take blows to the face that can lead to problems in the future. Five million teeth are avulsed every year, and not wearing a mouth guard plays a significant part in the trauma people face when avulsion occurs.
At Summer Creek Dental in Humble, Texas, we promote the use of athletic mouth guards as an extra layer of protection for your oral hygiene. Continue reading to find out more about what an athletic mouth guard is, the reasons to get one, and the process.
What Is An Athletic Mouth Guard?
An athletic mouth guard is known by many different names in Humble, Texas. You might also know it as a sports guard or mouth protector, but they all provide the same service. Essentially, a strip of material that is molded to your mouth is used to cover the teeth and gums on your upper and lower jaws to protect them from hits to the head and face.
They are mainly used in sports that involve physical contact, such as basketball, football, baseball, soccer, and hockey. The guard should protect you from the following:
- Broken teeth
- Chipped, cracked, or flawed teeth
- Bust lip
- Gum damage
- Nerve damage
Athletic mouth guards are also encouraged in Humble, Texas for non-contact sports where there is a risk of tripping and falling. These include gymnastics, ice skating, cycling, and mountain biking.
Why Should You Get One?
You should get an athletic mouth guard to protect your face and head. However, there are different types of protectors, and not everyone is helpful when playing sports. Therefore, it’s essential to invest in a mouth guard that is created for heavy-duty use as you know it will last for a long time, and the material will soak up big blows.
Apart from protecting your mouth and gums from external pressures, athletic mouth guards are useful at limiting the damage from internal issues, such as teeth grinding. Grinding teeth is synonymous with children at nighttime, yet it happens a lot during sports, too. This is because your concentration levels might encourage subconscious side-effects.
Even if you don’t think you require a mouth guard, it’s better to be safe than sorry. After all, it’s impossible to evaluate the impacts sports have on your oral hygiene without medical advice.
The Process
Firstly, your dentist will figure out which athletic mouth guard will be the most suitable as there are many versions, from custom-fitted to boil-and-bite and one-size-fits-all. The process is different depending on which guard you choose. For instance, a boil-and-bite protector lets you create the mold at home by placing it in hot water and biting down on the material. However, a custom-fitted guard requires an impression of your teeth to ensure the protector fits your mouth perfectly.
For more information regarding athletic mouth guards in Humble, Texas, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of our team right away!
