Many sports require a lot of gear. One piece of equipment that is easy to forget but important to use is mouthguard. This small, inexspensive item is one of the most important pieces of gear to buy for yourself or your child before participating in a variety of sports. As you prepare to jump into a new season, it is important to not only purchase a mouthguard, but to also get the right one that fits and protects your unique mouth the most.

Protect against tooth displacement and breakage

Wearing a mouthguard is essential for several sports for good reason. When games include a lot of contact, getting hit in the face and mouth area will eventually happen. Wearing a mouthguard can stop a tooth getting fractured or loosened. And can even help prevent teeth from being knocked out completely.

Protect against jaw fractures

When your face takes a hard hit in just the right way, it can easily fracture your jaw. Wearing a correctly fitting mouthguard helps prevent this type of major injury from happening. A mouthguard will cushion the blow to the jaw area if you happen to get hit by a ball or an elbow.

Protect against grinding teeth

Grinding your teeth might not seem like a big deal, but over time it can cause your jaw to start popping and lead to some aches and pains. It will also start to wear your teeth down, causing irreparable damage. People often grind their teeth while sleeping or when under stress, including when they are playing an important game. Wearing a mouthguard at night while you sleep will help you stop grinding your teeth. And prevent these other issues from forming. Try wearing it at night to see if your headaches lessen or your jaw stops popping.

Different types of mouthguards

Now that you know why mouthguards are important and how they prevent many issues, let’s take a look at some of the different types of mouthguards available. There are three main types of mouthguards to choose from:

  • Stock Protectors – These are the most inexpensive type of mouthguards and are commonly found at sporting goods stores and local drugstores. They typically require your jaw to shut down around them and are often loose fitting and hard to keep in correctly. Since they are designed to fit the majority of mouths, they won’t be as attuned to your teeth and jaws as a custom fit mouthguard.
  • Boil and Bite – This type of mouthguard is also found in most sporting goods and drugstores. They are made from a type of thermoplastic. First you boil the mouthguard in hot water and then place it in your mouth to shape it around your teeth for a tighter fit. 
  • Custom Fit – To find this type of mouthguard, you will have to take a visit to your dentist. These guards are custom fit to the shape of your teeth and size of your mouth. Wearing one of these guards will give you the most protection and a very comfortable and proper fit, but it will be a bit pricier. 

Your day-to-day dental health is up to you. It starts with the everyday hygiene of brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing regularly. If you keep up with your annual visits and daily care, you’ll end up with stronger, healthier teeth and gums. This is the first step in keeping your teeth safe. With these strong healthy teeth, you should consider adding a good mouthguard to your sports gear or sleep routine to provide that extra layer of protection for keeping those teeth safe.”

List of sports that require mouthguard

There are many sports that require a mouthguard, such as boxing or MMA. But here we will highlight some sports that you may not have known you needed.

Bicycling

Bicycling

A mouthguard is a must. Whether you are an aspiring MBX racer who hits the trails hard and fast, or a mountain biker going for a long trail ride. Even the most careful rider can hit an unexpected rock in the road. If that happens, make sure your teeth are as crash-proof as possible.

Hockey

Hockey

Hockey has a stereotype of gamers lacking tooth. Although the NHL does no longer require gamers to put on mouthguards, college sports activities and leisure hockey leagues do. Hard touch and flying pucks pose a major danger on your pearly whites. Wearing a mouthguard protects the tooth, gums and your tongue, too.

Skateboarding

Skateboarding

The same logic apples to skateboarding. Even if your child is extremely skilled, there is always a chance that something could stop te skateboard wheels from spinning when it is least expected. Make sure your kids wear mouthguards when they hit the skate park with friends. And even they are just messing around in the driveway.

Skiing and snowboarding

Skiing and snowboarding

Flying down slopes may also be amusing and thrilling bud additionally has some critical dangers; operating into any person, hitting the hard-packed snow, or crashing right into a tree are all dangerous to your oral and general well being. Although snowboarding and skiing are very stress – free. It is simple to lose keep an eye on, catch an edge, or run into one thing. Usually, there is much less time to react and offer protection to your self. It is at all times vital to put on a mouthguard. When you ski or snowboard as a result of it might assist save you injury within the tournament that you incur facial harm.

Surfing

Surfing

One roque wave and you could end up with a face full of the surfboard. A mouthguard helps ensure that you get back up on the board instead of hanging 10 at the dentist’s office.

Baseball

baseball

Though baseball is less of a contact sport than others, there is still an opportunity for a mouthful of harm. From getting hit by a stray ball to face – first slides into home plate. There are plenty of reasons to wear mouthguard on the diamond.

Read more about: Mouthguards Can Help You Keep Your Teeth FOr Life – Miami Dentist Dr. Papiernik