The Importance of Mouthguards

We can all agree, our child’s safety is of the upmost importance to us. We push for knee pads, helmets, and gloves, yet forget about mouth safety. Hockey and football aren’t the only sports causing children (and adults) to lose their teeth.

According to The American Dental Association (ADA), 200,000 oral injuries occur that could have been prevented by a mouthguard. Not only do mouthguards prevent knocked out teeth, but chipped, broken, and cracked teeth as well. To make matters even better, they also protect from cuts to the lips, and tongue during physical activity.

Sport Use Recommendations

We recommend mouthguards for any individuals who participate in physical contact sports, or activities with potential to fall, crash, or get hit in the face. These include, but are not limited to, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, lacrosse, rugby, skateboarding, dirt/mountain biking, free climbing, and so on.

What About Braces

It is actually more important that those with braces wear mouthguards. The bracket and wire could imbed into the soft tissue, with blows to the mouth.

Mouthguard Types

Mouthguards aren’t the huge, uncomfortable, nuisances they used to be. There are three typical mouthguard options:

• Pre-form: Typically used in football and hockey, these are ready-to-wear. They are the most affordable options and one-size-fits-all. This means they are often the bulkier option and make talking difficult.
• Boil & Bite: These can be purchased at any sporting good stores. You soften the plastic in boiling water, then place in your mouth and bite to shape them to your teeth.
• Custom-fit: The best fit option is custom. These are often created by your dentist and are more expensive than others, but often out-live and out-do the other options.

Cleaning Your Mouthguard

It is important to clean the mouthguard often to reduce bacteria. Make sure it is stored in a ventilated care to encourage drying. You can brush it like you do your teeth with toothpaste, hydrogen peroxide, or just soap and water.

As you can tell, using a mouthguard during the sports season and during the summer recreational activities can greatly benefit you or your child. If you have any more questions about mouthguard benefits, contact us.