The Benefits Of Using A Mouthguard For Sports
If you or your children play sports, a custom mouthguard provided by your family dentist in Edmonton is a must. Not only will wearing a mouthguard protect teeth against injury, but it can also prevent neck injuries, broken jaws, and possibly concussions.
The Canadian Dental Association strongly recommends them and some research indicates that those who wear mouthguards are 60 times less likely to incur an injury.
Types of Mouthguards
A mouthguard is typically worn only on the upper teeth. The ideal type is one that remains in place when you move, is comfortable to wear, and allows you to speak and breathe with ease. There are three basic types you can buy:
- Stock mouthguards. These ready-to-wear mouthguards are inexpensive and can be bought at most sporting goods stores. Unfortunately, they offer little protection, are uncomfortable to wear and make talking and sometimes even breathing difficult.
- Boil-and-bite mouthguards. This isanother type of store-bought mouthguard and it’s definitely more comfortable than a stock mouthguard. As the name suggests, the plastic apparatus that comes out of the box needs to be softened first in hot water and then bitten into in order to shape it to your mouth.
- Custom-fitted mouthguards. To get thistype of mouthguard, you’ll need to visit your family dentist in Edmonton. He or she will first make a mould of your teeth and then the mouthguard will be designed overtop. Custom mouthguards are more expensive, but they’re also the most comfortable to wear and offer the best protection.
If You Have Braces
Some people mistakenly believe that if you have braces or other dental appliances, wearing a mouthguard isn’t possible. However, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, wearing a mouthguard during sports is doubly important if you have braces. Removable appliances (like retainers) should simply be removed before commencing athletic activities.
When to Wear a Mouthguard
Contact sports like football, rugby, hockey, field hockey, and lacrosse typically require that players wear a mouthguard. However, there are many other activities during which a mouthguard should be worn if you want to avoid a trip to the emergency dental clinic in Edmonton. Some of these activities include:
- Gymnastics
- Boxing
- Basketball
- Wrestling
- Martial Arts
- Skateboarding
- Biking
- Weight Lifting
- Volleyball
- Soccer
- Squash
It’s best to wear a mouthguard during any sport or activity in which there’s the potential for impact to the mouth by a person, an object or a hard surface.
Where to get a Custom Mouthguard
While almost every Edmonton dentist can provide you with a custom-made mouthguard, only Janz Family Dental will go the extra mile to put patients, both young and old, at ease. Contact us today to make an appointment, or simply keep our number handy should you ever require an emergency dentist in Edmonton.
