The Guide To Save Every Athletes Smile: Sports Guard

The Sports Guard (or Mouth Guard) is an important part of safety gear in sports. Sports mouthguards are used in sports like football hockey or boxing. This blog will help you understand why sports guard is mandatory for people playing sports.

What is a Sports Guard?

Sports Guard is the device used for protection to shield the teeth, gums and jaw from impact or injury. The clear mouth guard, sports Guard cover the upper teeth and many times extends to the gums and nearby soft tissues. They create a cushion that absorbs the shock of a blow. They are very important in contact sports and activities when there’s the risk of falling, or sudden movement which could cause oral injury.

• In high-contact sports like boxing, a sports guard can also be called a boxing teeth guard or boxing guard as it is the crucial part of safety gear.

Why You Need a Sports Guard

Sports guards are needed for every person who plays sports. You must be aware of the risk of injuries while playing sports like football, basketball, soccer or hockey. You can also be exposed to dental injuries when you take part in sports like volleyball, gymnastics or martial arts.

You will find below the reasons why you really need Sports Guard:

1. They protect you from dental trauma

The sudden force applied to the face, or your mouth can cause serious dental injuries such as

1. Tooth Fractures or chipped tooth
2. Knocked-out teeth (avulsed teeth)
3. Tooth or teeth which is displaced from its socket
4. Soft tissue injuries to your lips, cheek or gums

2. Protects you from the jaw and neck injuries

Sports guards prevent fractures, dislocations and concussions as they spread the force of impact evenly across the mouth and jaw. They protect your teeth but they also play an important role in lessening jaw and neck injuries.

3. Decreased risk of soft tissue damage

A blow to your face might cause or lead to cuts, bruises and tears of lips, tongues or gums. What Sports Guard does is help to cushion these soft tissues which in return prevents the damage caused by the blow.

4. Added Benefit

The added benefit of the sports guard is that it also helps patients who have the habit of grinding their teeth, also called bruxism. There are some players who develop the habit of grinding or clenching their teeth in tense situations or just as a random act. This habit is prominent in players who are in high-contact sports and competitive situations. You can go through tooth wear, jaw pain and even headaches. A Sports Guard decreases this effect by providing a barrier between the upper and lower teeth.

Types of Sports Guards

You can find a few different types of sports guards available near you. They are different based on comfort, material and customization. Let us go through these Sports Guard.

1. Stock Mouthguards

Some people suffer from jaw joint pain (TMJ issues). It feels like:

• Stock Mouthguards are the pre-made sports guards.
• They are easily available at most sports or drug stores.
• They are not that expensive and one-size that fits options are present.
• Not adjustable, can be bulky, uncomfortable and less useful at providing proper protection.
• They are the least ideal choice for serious athletes.

Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards

• Made up of thermoplastic material which softens when heated in boiling water.
• After they are softened you place them in your mouth and bite down.
• This creates a custom fit and hardens as it gets cooled down.
• As Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards are made for you using your mouth as the model cast, they may provide you with better protection and comfort.

3. Custom-Fitted Mouthguards

• Sports guard which are custom fitted can be the best sports guard for you.
• Custom-fitted mouthguards are given to you by your dentist or sports dental professional.
• They are made by your dentist's instructions in the lab using your impression or oral scan.
• They provide precision and comfort and the highest level of protection designed for your unique needs.
• They can be tailored to accommodate any dental work or braces you may have.

When to Replace Your Sports Guard

Sports guards aren’t meant to last forever. If you notice any of the following, it’s time to replace your guard:

• Cracks or tears: Over time, a guard may crack or wear down, reducing its protective ability.
• Fit issues: The guard should fit you well, should not impinge anywhere and at the time the fit should be sung.
• Dental structure changes: There are chances that you might get braces lose teeth or experience a change in the bite due to dental issues or treatment, at that time you need to get a new sports guard to accommodate those changes

Conclusion

You should know by now that your teeth are as important as the rest of your body. The Sports Guard is a very simple yet useful tool that can help you prevent serious dental injury. They can also protect your jaw and prevent long term health issues. You can always make a smart decision to invest in a quality mouthguard.