Play It Safe: Shielding Your Teeth During Sports Activities

A great way to stay fit, sports are also useful for fun and enjoyment. But besides the obligation to respect safety aspects, it is also important to look after every aspect of the body, like your teeth, even when you take part in a contact sport like football and hockey or even in a non-contact sport like basketball and soccer, with the possibility of suffering oral injuries. This post at the blog will look into the requirement of protection of your teeth while performing sporty activities and the various ways you can protect your dental health to ensure the check of it.

The Risk of Dental Injuries

Sports-related dental injuries are far from unknown. In fact, scientific research has shown that from all dental injuries, 10-39% are associated with sports. Injuries may range from chipped or fractured teeth to more serious conditions, such as tooth dislocation or loss. Together with the collision with another player or falling into the ground, you may receive a deep injury to your teeth, which will mean severe pain, expensive dental treatment, and sometimes dramatic complications in the future.

Mouth Guards: Essential Apparatus

The most practical means of protection for your teeth during sporting activities is a mouth guard. A mouth guard, also termed as an appliance, is an insert that fits your mouth over the teeth and gums. It is essentially a cushioning and shock-absorbing agent for blows to the face and mouth. There are three categories of mouth guards,

Stock mouthguards

Pre-formed mouthguards can easily be found in sporting goods stores. Although inexpensive, the fit and most importantly the protection can hardly be great.

Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards

This has a better fit since you are able to shape to get the closest fit to your teeth. They have the ability to be immersed in boiling water and subsequently shaped to fit your mouth. Boil-and-bite mouthguards are easy to find and have a reasonable protection level.

Custom-Fitted Mouthguards

These mouthguards are made by a dentist. They are the best fitting and highest level of protection because they are tailor-made to fit your individual teeth and mouth. Although custom-molded may be more expensive, they offer superior comfort and durability.

Choosing the Right Mouthguard

There is comfort, durability, and the degree of protection. Custom-fitted mouthguards are especially recommended for people who engage themselves in any form of contact or high-impact sports. They fit perfectly and, therefore, do not interfere with clear speech and easy breathing while well protecting your teeth.

Maintenance of Your Mouthguard

Proper care for the mouthguard will ensure it is hygienic and long-lasting. It should be rinsed with cold water or mouthwash after every use. It is best to store it in a protective case so it will not come in direct sunlight or under very high temperatures. Ensure that you check your mouthguard regularly for damages because those are necessary replacements. With such simple steps, you could maintain the effectiveness of your mouthguard and keep it clean.

Extra Dental Safety Tips

Besides wearing a mouthguard, here are several extra safety tips you can employ to keep your teeth safe while engaging in sports.

• Always be on the lookout and also very attentive to your environment so as to prevent cases of collisions.
• Always follow the rules and regulations that guide the sport that you will be playing.
• Always keep good oral hygiene through brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups.
• Always see a dentist if an injury happens to limit further damage.

Conclusion

Well, sports activities certainly are not a place to forget oral health. The use of a snugly fitting mouth protector will most likely reduce the likelihood of dental injuries considerably, along with other safety measures outlined above. Prevention is always better than a cure, so play safe and have a healthy smile while playing your favorite sports!