What are Sports Mouth Guards?
During sports or leisure activities, a sports mouthguard, also known as an athletic mouthguard or a sports bite guard, is worn over the teeth and gums as a kind of protection. It is intended to reduce the possibility of trauma to the mouth, teeth, and surrounding tissues and help prevent dental injuries.
A sports mouthguard’s main purpose is to absorb and disperse the pressures produced by a hit to the face or jaw, lessening the strain on the teeth and minimizing injuries including fractures, dislocations, or loss of teeth. It also serves as a cushion to guard against fractures, wounds, and lacerations to the lips, cheeks, tongue, and jaw.
Athletes who play high-contact sports, including football, hockey, rugby, boxing, and martial arts, frequently use sports mouthguards. However, they are advised for individuals taking part in any activity where there is a chance of falling, colliding with objects, or coming into contact with other people or equipment.
How Do Mouthguards Protect You During Contact Sports?
Here’s how mouthguards protect you during contact sports:
- Shock absorption: A mouthguard’s ability to absorb and disperse the forces produced by a hit to the face or jaw is one of its main purposes. The mouthguard’s robust material functions as a cushion, spreading the impact over a greater surface area. Mouthguards assist in lowering the risk of dental injuries like fractures, dislodgements, and avulsions by absorbing and dispersing the stress.
- Jaw and tooth stability: Mouthguards help to keep the teeth in place and stabilize them during physical activity. By establishing a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, they avoid direct contact and lessen the possibility of teeth colliding. The likelihood of tooth displacement or misalignment is reduced by mouthguards because they preserve normal dental alignment and stability.
- Protection for the lips and cheeks: Mouthguards protect and conceal the teeth by acting as a barrier between the lips, cheeks, and teeth.
- Protection for the temporomandibular joint (TMJ): Excessive pressure or impacts during contact sports can injure the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). By supporting and stabilizing the jaw joint, mouthguards can help reduce the incidence of TMJ problems. They serve as shock absorbers, lessening the force applied to the TMJ and lowering the risk of fractures or dislocations of the jaw.
- Reduced risk of concussions: Despite not being directly connected to the mouth, mouthguards may also help to lessen the likelihood and severity of concussions. Mouthguards near you have the potential to reduce the transmission of forces to the brain by absorbing and distributing impact forces, thereby lowering the probability and severity of concussive injuries.
Benefits of Wearing a Mouthguard When Playing Sports
There are various advantages to sporting mouthguards, including:
- Dental protection: Mouthguards shield your teeth from breaking, chipping, and being knocked out, sparing you from expensive dental procedures.
- Soft tissue safety: They protect the lips, cheeks, tongue, and gums, lowering the possibility of bruising and wounds.
- Performance enhancement: Comfy mouthguards enhance breathing, speaking, and concentration.
- Cost-effective: Mouthguards at a dentist near you are economical when compared to the costs associated with dental injuries.
- Easy to obtain: There are a few ways you can go about acquiring a mouthguard such as having your dentist make you a customized one or purchase a stock mouthguard at a drugstore.
Have additional questions? Reach out to a dentist near you today!
Get Mouthguards at Montreux Dental Clinic
At Montreux Dental Clinic, we invite you to visit our dentist in Aspen for a consultation. Our expert dental team is here to provide personalized guidance and recommendations tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re an athlete looking for sports mouthguards or seeking protection against teeth grinding, we offer professional expertise and high-quality mouthguard solutions.
Call or come in to schedule your consultation and discover the best options for your dental protection.