Sports Guard We all know that basketball, baseball, football, rugby, and hockey can be hard on our teeth; however, we may not know that just about any sport or activity involving potential contact with other people can lead to dental injury. Wearing athletics mouthguards can provide a line of defense from such injuries. Sports mouthguards are not just for kids, adults can also wear them. Our team at Wildhorse Dental wants you to wear a mouthguard whenever you are engaging in sports like basketball, skateboarding, baseball, boxing, biking, gymnastics, hockey, and other activities that can lead to injury of the mouth. What Are Mouthguards for Athletics?A mouthguard is an oral appliance worn over the upper arch of teeth during sports in order to offer protection against an oral injury. This athletic gear protects against cut lips, broken teeth, and other mouth damage likely to occur when indulging in sports. If you wear braces or have fixed dental appliances like a bridge within the lower jaw, our dentist may recommend that you wear a mouthguard for those teeth too. Sports mouthguards make an important piece of athletic equipment not only for kids but also for adults. Types of MouthguardsLargely, there are three types, which include custom-made, stock mouthguards, and boil and bite protective guards. To start with, custom-made mouthguards are designed and fabricated specifically for you. A dentist produces them in the office. When making custom mouthguards, our dentist takes an impression of teeth which serves to construct the mouthguard piece over a model of the teeth. And because they are custom-fit, customized mouthguards offer the most comfort as well as protection. Another type, known as boil and bite mouthguards, is available in a pre-formed shape, which you can alter. You are expected to boil or place the mouthguard in hot water and then bite into the plastic to allow a better fit. Stock protectors are pre-formed and set to wear immediately. But they usually do not fit well and may feel bulky in the mouth, making you experience difficulties in talking and breathing. Our dentist recommends you obtain custom-fitted mouthguards because they perform better than the others when it comes to protecting the mouth against injuries. Additionally, they feel more comfortable when worn in the mouth. Caring for Your MouthguardWhen participating in sports, the mouthguard you have fitted in your mouth remains there for quite some time. During the time it is in the mouth, it traps and accumulates bacteria and plaque or even food debris. As such, make sure you rinse the piece immediately after wearing it with warm, but not hot water. Also, brush the mouthguard using a soft toothbrush and antimicrobial soap. Avoid toothpaste because it is abrasive, meaning it can damage your oral appliance. You can also deep clean the piece weekly using over-the-counter denture cleaner. Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar may also help with deep-cleaning the mouthguard. Allow the protective guard to dry in the air before storing it in a case to prevent damage or avoid losing it. If you do not have a sports mouthguard, contact our team today at Wildhorse Dental. Request an appointment now at 636-537-0447. |
Office HoursMonday: 8:00am-5:00pm Tuesday: 7:30am-4:00pm Wednesday: 7:30am-4:00pm Thursday: 7:30am-3:00pm Fri‑Sun: Closed |
