Introduction
According to Iqaluit Dental Clinic, a sports mouth guard is a covering athletes wear over their teeth while doing contact sports like football, hockey and boxing. Unlike a normal mouthguard, it doesn’t just prevent your teeth from grinding, but also protects them on the field. Let’s answer a few frequently asked questions about them.
The FAQS
- What are the different types of sports mouthguards? – Primarily, there are three types of sports mouthguards, Stock mouthguards, Boil and Bite guards and Custom-fitted mouthguards. Think of stock mouthguards as a “one-size-fits-all” solution. They are ready-to-wear options that can be bought from a regular department store. While they are cheap, they are also bulky, and uncomfortable and often provide a poor fit.
Think of Boil and Bite guards as an upgraded thermoplastic version of stock mouthguards. They can be softened in hot water, sit in the mouth for a better fit and harden as they cool down. On the other hand, custom-fitted mouthguards are the best option since they are made according to the shape of your teeth using a very specific material. While they are expensive, they fit you like a glove and offer more protection.
- What are the injuries that sports mouthguards help to prevent? – In contact sports like boxing, soccer, hockey and football, you may have to take intense hits from the ball or the puck to your face. You may even fall to the ground with a direct hit to the jaw or get a knee or elbow to the mouth in the heat of the moment.
That can lead to a lot of severe mouth-related injuries to your tongue, lips, and soft tissues in your mouth. You may even end up with bleeding gums and broken or chipped teeth. A sports mouthguard protects you from those injuries and prevents you from getting a fat bill at the dentist and the hospital.
- How often should mouthguards be replaced? – An adult mouthguard can last several years depending on the care of the guard, frequency of use, damage to the mouth and other such factors. Unless the shape of your mouth changes or you lose and restore a few teeth, a sports mouthguard should last you for several years before it gets replaced. A new one needs to be made when comfort and fit are compromised. Usually, sports mouthguards for adults don’t need a replacement for 3 years or more.
On the other hand, sports mouthguards used by kids during their growing years need to be replaced frequently. Children and teens are always growing, and their bodies are always changing. Loss of baby teeth, the eruption of adult teeth and the growth of the jaw make their existing mouthguards obsolete within a year.
Conclusion
Iqaluit Dental Clinic suggests that you see the dentist and get a custom sports mouthguard if necessary. Custom sports mouthguards are shaped according to your teeth and gums and sit perfectly over them. They can save you from a lot of serious injuries and expensive procedures.
