When you think of sporting equipment, where do your thoughts go? Do you think of helmets, shoulder pads, and knee braces? Did you know that one of the most vital pieces of sporting equipment that you could use is a mouth guard? Designed to protect your mouth from any type of impact that could occur during a sporting event – whether it was from a teammate, opponent, or a rogue ball – mouth guards can help keep you safe.
They are essential to protect not only your teeth but also to prevent concussions. We here at Cane Bay Family Dentistry strongly believe that mouth guards are one of the most important things you can wear when you are playing sports.
A mouth guard is an extremely important piece of sporting equipment. While many people automatically understand the value of using one during contact sports like football or hockey, it is also important to wear one while engaging in non-contact type sports like skating or even gymnastics. Any time you play a sport that could lead to you getting hit in the face by either a teammate, an opponent, or even sporting equipment, you need to use a mouth guard.
Mouth guards can help protect you from many different types of injuries, such as broken teeth, chipped teeth, dislodged or lost teeth, and even a concussion. They can also help prevent cuts and lacerations that could occur inside your mouth while playing sports.
There are three main types of mouth guards you may encounter when you are looking to purchase one. The most basic type is called a stock mouth guard, which can be found in a big-box store. We strongly advise against this type, as it can be poorly fitting at best and dangerous at worst. They cannot protect your mouth properly and can also impair your ability to play sports by making it harder to breathe.
Some sporting goods stores sell boil and bite mouth guards. While these do offer some level of customization, they are still not adequate for protecting you. They require that you boil them to soften them, then bite them to create an impression of your teeth. However, they still will not give you a perfect fit.
We strongly recommend that all of our patients who play sports come in for a fitting for a custom mouth guard. These are created from an actual impression of your mouth and give you an ideal, comfortable fit. They can offer you the highest level of protection while playing your sport and can help keep you safe. They do not impair your ability to breathe or speak clearly while playing your sport, either. We recommend that you replace your custom mouth guard every six months to a year, especially if you use it frequently or notice that it is starting to get worn down or damaged.
If you play sports, then you could benefit from a custom mouth guard. They can help protect you from many different types of injuries that could occur while playing your sport. To learn more about the many benefits of a mouth guard, or to set up an appointment with us here at Cane Bay Family Dentistry to be fitted with one, please give us a call today at (843) 376-3510!
