Play it Safe
What is a sports mouthguard?
Mouthguards, also known as sports guards, are protective devices that are worn in the mouth during athletic activities to assist reduce the risk of dental injuries and head trauma. It is formed from a substance that is soft and moldable, and it is designed to fit snugly over the gums and teeth.
Athletes who participate in contact sports, such as football, boxing, hockey, and lacrosse, are encouraged to wear mouthguards designed specifically for sports in order to protect their teeth and gums from damage. They can also be worn to assist avoid concussions in sports like soccer and basketball, where there is a risk of head collisions, provided that the head is properly protected.
Mouthguards used in sports are often crafted from EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) or polyurethane, two materials that are known for their flexibility and ability to absorb impact. They are made to absorb the impact of a blow to the face and to assist lessen the danger of harm to the teeth, gums, and jaw. Their design does this through a series of interlocking layers. Some mouthguards contain additional characteristics such as a built-in biting plate to help protect against concussions. Other mouthguards do not have these additional features.
It is common practice for sports leagues and organizations to mandate that athletes participate in their respective games while wearing a mouthguard designed specifically for sports. This is done to ensure that athletes’ teeth and gums are adequately protected. Investing in a mouthguard that fits properly is a smart option if you or your child are going to take part in an activity that carries a risk of dental injury. This will help protect your teeth and gums from being damaged.
Do sports mouthguards really work?
It has been demonstrated that players who wear mouthguards designed for sports are less likely to have dental injuries and concussions as a result of their participation in sports. Studies have shown that using a mouthguard can help reduce the risk of dental fractures, tooth loss, and other dental injuries by as much as sixty percent.
Mouthguards are designed to absorb the impact of a blow to the face and distribute the force of that strike more evenly across the face. They are manufactured out of a material that is flexible, shock-absorbing, and deforms when subjected to a force, which helps to lessen the risk of injury to the gums and teeth.
Research has proven, on the whole, that mouthguards designed specifically for sports are an excellent method for helping to reduce tooth injuries and concussions in athletes. It is a good idea to wear a mouthguard that has been correctly fitted if you or your child participates in a sport that presents a risk of dental damage. This will help lower the likelihood that an injury will occur.
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