Sports Mouthguards Keep Teeth Intact During Physical Contact

When it comes to competitive contact or high-impact sports, a mouthguard is a crucial piece of safety equipment that protects the teeth and gums from injury. This is especially true for children and young athletes whose jaws and teeth are still underdeveloped.

Read on to learn about types of sports mouthguards, dental injuries, and sports that need mouthguards.

A sports mouthguard is a device worn over the teeth during competitive or recreational sports. It serves as a barrier between the teeth and any external forces that might cause injury. Your ideal sports mouthguard should fit comfortably in your mouth without interfering with speaking or breathing. 

The most common types of dental injuries during contact sports include cracks and fractures, broken teeth, displaced teeth (pushed back or forward), loose teeth, and the whole tooth knocked out. These injuries are emergencies for athletes, all of which are minimizable and avoidable by wearing sports mouthguards.

Stock mouthguards are ready-made designs that are available at sporting goods stores. Although they come in small, medium, and large sizes, stock mouthguards may not fit properly.

Boil-and-bite mouthguards comprise thermoplastic material that softens when boiled and takes the shape of your teeth when you bite it. However, for the best fit and functionality, your dentist in Methuen can create a perfectly fitting sports mouthguard using a 3D model of your teeth.

Wear a sports mouthguard for the following activities:

• Basketball
• Wrestling
• Boxing
• Field and ice hockey
• Football
• Soccer
• Volleyball
• Martial arts
• Handball
• Lacrosse
• Skateboarding
• Cycling
• Inline and ice skating
• Surfing
• Acrobatics
• Gymnastics

Whether you're a beginner or a pro athlete, remember that damaged teeth don't grow back, you can have them repaired or replaced. Methuen Family Dentistry is ready to create the perfect fitting sports mouthguards for athletes of all ages. Contact us today.