With winter sports underway, we wanted to remind our
patients about the importance of wearing a mouthguard while you’re on the court
or the field!
Below is some information
on the
importance of mouthguards!
In an
ADA Press
release, Advisor Matthew Messina said, “A properly fitted mouthguard is an
important piece of athletic gear that can help protect your mouth, cushion
blows that might otherwise cause broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue,
face or jaw.”
In a 2007 study, it was determined that overall risk was
1.6 to 1.9 times greater without a proper fitting mouthguard. This is proof that mouthguards are an
effective safety feature in reducing injuries in sports. “But you don’t have to be on the football
field or in a hockey rink to benefit from properly fitted mouthguard. Findings in sports dentistry show that even
in non-contact sports, such as gymnastics, mouthguards will help protect
participants, and many experts recommend that everyone – from children to
adults- wear a mouthguard during any recreational activity that might pose a
risk of injury to the mouth, including practice and training sessions.”, said
Messina.
Custom-fitted.
These mouthguards are custom-fitted for you personally by your
dentist. They are the best option for
protecting teeth.
Stock. Often,
these mouthguards are factory formed.
They generally don’t fit your teeth well, but are less expensive.
Boil and form.
These mouthguards can be found in most drug or sporting goods
stores.
You boil them in water, and then
bite into them to form the mouthguard to your mouth.