Sports injuries may not always be prevented, but dental injuries can be avoided with proper protection. Mouthguards are crucial protective appliancesmeant to cushion blows that otherwise maylead to severe dental injury. Mouthguards protect your teeth, gums, and jaw when participating in high-impact sports, including contact sports. If you are an athlete or a parent of an athlete, it is important to know which sports require a mouthguard. In this blog, we will cover the top 5 sports that need mouthguards and why they are needed.
1. Football
Football is a sport of frequent bodily collisions. Players are hit while tackling, or accidentally with the elbow, and they may fall, putting themselves at risk of tooth injury. A solid sports guards in Vancouverabsorbs impact shock so the risk of chipped and knocked-out teeth decreases. Getting a well-fitting mouthguard is not merely advised—it is mandated in some football leagues.
2. Hockey
Field hockey and ice hockey are some of the contact sports requiring mouthguards. Sticks, pucks, or even teammates hit players quite regularly. A custom-fitted mouthguard serves as a buffer, protecting against serious dental trauma. Contact sports where mouthguards like hockey are played tend to include rapid movement, so it’s important to also protect the soft tissues of the mouth as well as the teeth.
3. Basketball
Most people are unaware that basketball is a high-risk sport for mouth injuries. From an elbow to the face by accident, a fall to the ground, or an errant ball to the mouth, mouth injuries are prevalent. Though mouthguards are not always required, dentists highly encourage them. A trip to a dentist will allow you to have a custom mouthguard for increased comfort and safety.
4. Boxing & Martial Arts
Boxing, karate, and mixed martial arts (MMA) are sports that entail facial hits. Due to this, they have become one of the most hazardous sports for dental injury. In the absence of a mouthguard, one can get teeth broken or jaw fracture with a single punch or kick. Customized mouthguards are usually the best choice, as they are a comfortable fit and very protective.
5. Rugby
Rugby is another contact sport in which players tend to bump into each other at high speeds. As tackling is such an integral aspect of the game, facial injuries are more likely to occur. Not only do mouthguards guard the teeth, but they also assist in avoiding concussions by absorbing the shock. Players are often made to wear mouthguards by many leagues to ensure safety.
Why Are Mouthguards Important?
Mouthguards play a variety of roles, including:
- Preventing chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth
- Shields the lips, cheeks, and tongue against lacerations
- Decreases risk of jaw fracture
- Aids in the prevention of concussions by cushioning blows
- Offers comfortable means of oral health protection
Selecting the Proper Mouthguard
There are three principal types of mouthguards:
- Stock Mouthguards: They are pre-formed and can be worn, but are not guaranteed to fit perfectly.
- Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards: They can be softened in warm water and then molded to suit your teeth.
- Custom-Fitted Mouthguards: These are created by a dentist for ultimate protection and comfort.
Protect your teeth today, play worry-free tomorrow!
If you or your kid plays any one of these sports that require mouthguards, investing in a top-notch mouthguard is a must. It’s a small act that can ward off serious dental damage. Get in touch with Key Dental Clinic, which has a team of expert dentist in Downtown Vancouver that provides services for mouthguards.
Choose today the professionally created mouthguards that will fit better, be longer lasting, and be better at protecting your teeth than store-bought products.