How Mouthguards Can Save Your Smile!

When it comes to sports, it’s not worth taking any chances and risking damage to your teeth or smile. Does this mean that you shouldn’t play sports? Not at all!

Sports have lots of good benefits to offer such as physical, mental, and social benefits. Plus, they can be tons of fun to play. We don’t want you to miss out on all that good stuff, and the good news is that you don’t have to. Being proactive and wearing a mouthguard while you play sports can save and protect your teeth should an unfortunate impact happen.

How Does A Mouthguard Protect Your Mouth And Smile?

Mouthguards are typically made of a flexible yet supportive material. They are usually molded to your mouth, so they fit nicely over your teeth.

If you are wearing a mouthguard and experience impact to your mouth, the mouthguard will protect against fractured teeth. Your lip might still get bumped and swell up, but your teeth should be ok.

According to the American Dental Association, athletes are 60 times more likely to damage their teeth if they don’t wear a mouthguard.

I’ve Noticed That My Local Supermarket Sells Mouthguards, Will That Work?

Many supermarkets and pharmacies indeed sell over-the-counter mouthguards. These mouthguards are typically boil-and-bite mouthguards that you boil at home and then sink your teeth into so that they form around your teeth.

Some patients wonder if it is worth having a mouthguard made in the dental office if they could more affordably do it on their own at home. We have found getting a custom mouthguard at your dental office to be worth both the effort and the investment.

A custom mouthguard fits better, which allows it to work better in protecting your teeth. It also provides a more comfortable fit than the boil-and-bite mouthguards.

How Long Does A Mouthguard Last?

The life of a mouthguard depends on a few different factors:

• Usage: How often are you wearing your mouthguard? A mouthguard worn every day for sports will probably not last as long as a mouthguard that is only used a few times a summer for impact sports.
• Care: How you care for your mouthguard can affect its longevity. Do you find yourself chewing and clenching your mouthguard? Do you rinse it after use and allow it to dry out afterward? Keeping your mouthguard clean can help to prolong its life.
• Bite Changes: Have you had any dental changes recently? Kids at an age where they are still losing teeth may need new bite guards if they have teeth coming out and new teeth coming in. Also, children need to get bigger mouthguards as their jaw grows and develops. As an adult, your mouthguard should continue to fit as long as you don’t have significant restorative changes.

How To Best Care For A Mouthguard

These few simple and easy steps can keep your mouthguard in good condition for the long haul:

• Rinse it with water after use!
• Allow the mouthguard to dry before storing it in a case.
• Keep it away from your pets. For some reason, pets love these things. It becomes an easy chew toy for them in no time.
• Try not to chew on the mouthguard as this can wear on the material and perhaps even wear a hole in it.

If you play sports that put your mouth or smile at risk of injury, we encourage you to invest in a mouthguard. If you are interested in learning more about custom mouthguards, please call our office to speak with our knowledgeable dental team.