A basketball player goes up for a rebound and meets an elbow on the way down. The moment lasts less than a second, yet a front tooth may be chipped, loosened, or lost. Injuries like this are common in athletics, and many can be reduced with one inexpensive piece of equipment.
What Happens to Teeth on Impact
When something strikes the face, the force travels through the teeth and into the jaw. Without protection, the upper and lower teeth can slam together, and the lips and cheeks may be pressed against sharp tooth edges. A mouth guard made of flexible material absorbs part of that energy and spreads it over a wider area instead of letting it land on one tooth.
It also separates the upper and lower teeth and cushions the soft tissues of the mouth. No guard can promise complete protection, since the result depends on the sport, the strength of the blow, and how well the device fits.
Injuries a Guard May Help Prevent
Chipped, cracked, and fractured teeth are the most familiar sports injuries, and a tooth knocked out entirely is the most serious. Dental work such as crowns and bridges can also be damaged by a hard hit.
Cuts and bruises on the lips, cheeks, and tongue are just as frequent, and a guard offers a physical barrier against them. Treating any of these problems often involves several appointments, which makes prevention the more practical choice.
Choosing Sports Mouth Guards for Your Activity
Athletes in football, hockey, boxing, wrestling, and martial arts usually understand the risk of contact. Fewer people think about it for basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, or skateboarding, yet falls, stray elbows, and fast-moving balls cause dental injuries in these activities too. Sports mouth guards are useful in all of these activities, since the possibility of an accident is present in each one.
The level of contact differs from one sport to another, but injuries do not wait for a scheduled match. Wearing a guard for practice as well as games is wise.
Custom Fit Compared With Store-Bought Options
Over-the-counter guards are easy to find and may offer basic protection. They are made in standard sizes, however, so they can feel bulky, shift during play, or require constant clenching to stay in place. A guard that moves around is uncomfortable and tends to be left on the bench.
A custom guard is made from impressions or measurements of your own teeth. The dentist can examine your mouth, consider your sport, and check the finished fit for comfort and stability. Because it sits securely and allows normal breathing and speech, athletes are more likely to wear it every time.
Looking After Your Guard
Rinse the guard after each use and clean it as your dentist recommends. Let it dry completely before placing it in a ventilated case. Check it from time to time for cracks, thinning, or a change in fit, and have it evaluated if it no longer feels right. A worn guard cannot protect as well as a sound one.
Final Thoughts
A well-fitted mouth guard is a small investment that protects against injuries that are painful and expensive to repair. To find the right option for your teeth and your sport, contact Pearl Dental at (281) 564 5654 and schedule a visit.