Professional as well as recreational athletics require physical exertion and do come with applications in the sector. Contact sports, including football, basketball, soccer, and hockey, put athletes at risk for oral injuries that can include chipped teeth, fractures, or even tooth loss. That’s where mouthguards step in. These straightforward but beneficial dental devices are essential in keeping athletes’ teeth and gums free of damage when they exert themselves physically as advised by a dentist in West Houston, TX. Call around West Houston, TX, whether you or your children are athletes, wear a mouthguard for your benefit and the long-term health of your mouth.
What Is a Mouthguard?
A mouthguard is a protective device that covers your teeth and gums to minimize the chances of injury. Mouthguards are typically made of hard, durable plastics or silicone, designed to take the impact of the blow and absorb or distribute the force to reduce the risk of dental injuries. Individually molded and custom-fitted, dentist-made mouthguards provide the ultimate protection, as they fit the individual’s teeth perfectly.
Importance of Mouthguards
Defensive of Tooth Injuries: The single largest reason athletes should wear mouthguards is to minimize the risk of damage to the teeth. A blow to the face, particularly in impact sports, can result in cracked, chipped, or even knocked-out teeth. For athletes who participate in high-contact sports such as football or hockey, the risk of dental trauma is particularly great. A properly fitted mouthguard helps reduce the risk of injury by absorbing the impact and preventing direct injury to the teeth.
Prevention of Jaw Injuries: Mouthguards not only protect the teeth but also serve to prevent injuries to the jaw as well. Facial bone dislocation often occurs with a direct blow, the force of the impact can cause the jaw to swing (move) or even dislocate. A mouthguard will absorb some of that force, which helps to lower the risk of jaw fractures and dislocations. This is especially beneficial for those athletes involved in physically aggressive sports.
Protection of Soft Tissues: As well as preventing harm to the teeth and jaw, mouthguards also offer protection against injury to the mouth’s soft tissues (cheeks, lips, gums). A punch in the face can cut open or bruise or even slice into these vulnerable spots. A mouth guard acts as a cushioning and cover reducing the hard contact between the teeth and inner soft tissues thus significantly reducing the risk of such injuries.
Prevention of Concussions: Although mouthguards cannot prevent concussions, they contribute to decreasing the severity of the head injuries that cause most concussions. Mouthguards have been shown to reduce concussions by stabilizing the head in turn reducing the force that is transmitted through the skull. In such sports as football, hockey, and boxing, where concussions are a risk, wearing a mouthguard might also offer some additional brain protection.
Improved Performance: Mouthguards give added comfort and concentration to players as such they help many players. The guard locks down the jaw and stops clenching when exerting through the teeth. This can enhance overall performance by enabling athletes to keep their heads in the game rather than worry about becoming injured. Some athletes prefer to know that their teeth and mouth are protected.
Athletes in contact sports risk dental injury, so mouthguards are an essential piece of protective equipment. Playing football, hockey, basketball or any sport has the potential to injure your teeth (tooth damage or loss), cause jaw injuries (displaced jaws), or cause trauma to soft tissue (lips, gums, or soft palate). West Houston, TX, athletes seeking the ultimate protection should consider wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard for superior comfort and performance tailored for the individual athlete. A mouthguard is a valuable investment in your dental health and overall protection in the game.