Sports Guard Before heading out onto the field, football players throw on helmets, shoulder padding, thigh and knee pads, and other protective gear, but what about a mouthguard? With more athletes than ever recognizing the utility of a high-quality athletic mouthguard, Riverstone Dental Group encourages you to consider getting a mouthguard for yourself or your little athlete. Why We Recommend a Mouthguard for SportsMouthguards may not be necessary for all sports. You probably will never see a golfer with a mouthguard, but we feel they should be considered mandatory equipment for contact sports. This is especially true for children, whose growing teeth need extra protection, as they can be more prone to damage. Since more than one in three dental traumas are the result of accidents sustained while playing sports, wearing a mouthguard can make a real difference. A good mouthguard will do more than just protect your teeth. It will also prevent dangerous impacts from harming the inside of your cheeks, lips, gums, jaw, and tongue. The American Dental Association also has issued official recommendations for wearing athletic mouthguards, and a full list of the sports they recommend mouthguards for can be found on their website. What Mouthguards are Available for Athletes?The modern athlete has several options to choose from when it comes to athletic mouthguards, but there is only one type that will offer you the full protection your teeth require. While many people opt for the cheaper mouthguards widely available at sporting goods and other retail stores, they are almost always a poor fit for the unique shape of an individual's mouth, offering substandard protection and poor comfort. Mouth-formed guards seem to mitigate this by molding to your mouth, but these can be tricky to properly prepare. If you are a serious athlete, instead of these generic or mouth-formed guards, you should invest in a custom-fitted mouthguard created from impressions that we make of your mouth. Caring for Your MouthguardTo ensure that your mouthguard lasts for years and maintains peak performance, it is important that you carefully take care of it. You will be given personalized instructions along with your mouthguard. You will need to wash your mouthguard after each time it is used with warm water and dish soap or toothpaste. Avoid hot water, as this can cause the mouthguard to deform, and an improper fit can actually be more harmful to your teeth than no mouthguard at all. It should be stored in a perforated container, as bacteria grow rapidly in damp, non-ventilated environments. While wearing your mouthguard resist the urge to chew on it, or bend and fiddle with it while holding it. Do You Need a Mouthguard for Sports?If you play contact sports, or any sport with a high risk of physical impacts, especially to the head and face, then we urge you to call (925) 414-9250 to make an appointment with Riverstone Dental Group. We can discuss the benefits of a high-quality athletic mouthguard and custom-make one for you. |
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