Did you know that approximately 39% of all dental injuries occur while playing sports? Of those, 75% of sports-related dental injuries affect at least one of the most visible teeth in our smile. The most common sports-related dental injuries include broken teeth, knocked-out teeth, injured cheeks or tongue, and even broken jaws. To protect your teeth the Oakridge Crossing Dental Team is pleased to offer Sports Mouthguards in SW Calgary!
Did you know that approximately 39% of all dental injuries occur while playing sports? Of those, 75% of sports-related dental injuries affect at least one of the most visible teeth in our smile. The most common sports-related dental injuries include broken teeth, knocked-out teeth, injured cheeks or tongue, and even broken jaws.
When Should You Wear a Sports Mouthguard?
Although dental injuries are commonly associated with contact sports, such as football, rugby, hockey, and boxing, other dental and mouth injuries may also occur as a result of accidental contact with people or objects during other athletic activities, including skateboarding, basketball, soccer, squash, gymnastics, and Taekwon-Do. In essence, you need to be aware that all sports activities contain some risk that could result in a dental injury.
At Oakridge Crossing Dental, we recommend that anyone who participates in athletic activities protect his or her teeth with a high-quality, properly fitting sports mouthguard.
A properly fitted sports mouthguard absorbs the shock of impacts and protects teeth against potential chips, cracks, fractures, knock-outs, and damage. It is a vital equipment investment, especially when considering the cost of the possible dental work required to repair damaged teeth.
For people who have to wear braces or other fixed orthodontic appliances, it is especially important to have a sports mouthguard that fits them properly. An impact to the mouth can damage the brackets and wires of the braces, and can also cause added cuts and tears to the soft tissue inside your mouth.
Sports mouthguards are dental appliances that fit over your teeth while you’re engaged in your sporting activity. If you are then struck in the mouth or jaw, the sports mouthguard helps to redistribute the force of that impact. A mouthguard also provides a barrier between your teeth and the soft tissue in and around your mouth. Many studies have shown that mouthguards help prevent chipped or broken teeth and protect against cuts to lips, gums, and other soft tissue in the mouth area. A very high percentage of dental emergencies could be prevented by wearing a sports mouthguard.
Mouthguards vary in cost, comfort, and effectiveness. An ideal mouthguard is durable, resilient, and comfortable. It should fit properly, be easy to clean, and should not affect your ability to breathe.
Here are the basic categories of sports mouthguards on the market:
The Following Are Some Questions You Can Ask to Help Determine if Your Mouthguard is Effective:
Standard, off-the-shelf mouthguards that are available in sporting goods stores, may not meet any of these criteria — even if they are brand new! Also, once they have been used for a while by the athlete, and they are chewed out of their regular shape, this condition makes them even worse and offers even less protection. Despite this, over 90% of the mouthguards worn by athletes have been purchased at sporting goods stores.
Mouthguards known as boil & bite do have the potential to fit better. However, the actual fitting process itself has a downside. When biting into the hot mouthguard when it is malleable, the thickness of the mouthguard can be reduced, and with it so is the level of protection provided.
For all of your SW Calgary Sports Mouthguards needs, we welcome you to book a consultation appointment today. You can also discuss your sports mouthguard options at your next hygiene and check-up appointment — just ask! Contact us at (403) 475-9800 or request your appointment today!