According to a study conducted by O’Malley et al, up to one-third of all dental injuries are caused by sports activities. Contact sports like football, basketball, and hockey increase the risk of traumatic dental injuries.
The American Dental Association recommends wearing a properly fitted mouthguard to reduce the occurrence and severity of dental injuries while playing sports.
Dr. Raymond Hsu at Wellness Centered Dentistry in Redmond, Washington, offers custom-made mouthguards that better fit and protect your teeth when playing sports. Keep reading to learn more about this dental appliance.
What Is a Mouthguard?
Mouthguards are dental appliances that cover your teeth and protect them, as well as your tongue and gums, from trauma caused by teeth-grinding or contact injuries while playing sports.
Types of Mouthguards
- Custom-Made: After taking an impression of your teeth, your dentist designs a custom-made mouthguard that fits comfortably and provides the best fit and protection.
- Mouth-Formed (Boil-And-Bite): Available at sporting goods stores and designed to be fitted at home.
- Stock/Ready-Made: Most commonly available and least expensive, but also considered the least effective due to their generic design and improper fit.
Look for the ADA seal of acceptance when buying a mouthguard.
The Ideal Mouthguard
According to the ADA’s Council of Scientific Affairs and Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention, an ideal mouthguard should:
- Be properly fitted
- Be made from a strong material
- Stay in place comfortably and securely
- Be easy to clean
- Have high-impact energy absorption
Advantages of Wearing a Mouthguard
A study by Mariana et al concluded that the overall prevalence of dental injuries among collective contact sports participants was nearly 30%. A 2019 study revealed that mouthguard users are between 82% to 93% less likely to suffer from dental injuries compared to those who do not wear mouthguards.
Mouthguards can protect you by:
- Preventing dentofacial injuries
- Reducing concussions
- Protecting you from hard and soft tissue injuries to the gums, teeth, and cheeks
- Preventing more serious injuries like jaw fractures, neck injuries, cerebral hemorrhages, etc.
- The ADA recommends wearing a mouthguard for all contact sports/recreational activities like basketball, lacrosse, boxing, martial arts, football, or hockey.
Wearing a mouthguard significantly reduces the risk of traumatic dental and oro-facial injuries. For more information, contact our experts at Wellness Centered Dentistry at (425) 882-1354. You can also visit us at 16150 NE 85th St # 115, Redmond, Washington 98052.