5 Reasons You Should Wear A Sport Mouthguard
Do you wear a mouthguard?
Common sense dictates that it's a good idea to wear a mouthguard if you play contact sports or do any activity where your teeth could be damaged. However, we don't always do what we know is best for us.
There are several reasons why people don't wear mouthguards; sometimes, people don't know that their activity requires a mouthguard. Teens may not wear them because there is peer pressure not to wear them. After all, no one wants to be the only one on their team wearing a mouthguard!
Others may complain that a mouthguard is uncomfortable or interferes with speech and breathing. However, there are several reasons to wear a mouthguard.
The importance of wearing a mouthguard
If you are the parent of a child who plays sports or a regular participant in competitive sports, you understand the importance of safety and protection from injury. Like wearing helmets when we ride bikes, shin guards when we play soccer, and knee pads when we skate.
However, many of us overlook the importance of protecting our mouths when playing sports, which is quite concerning, especially when statistics show that athletes are up to 60 times more likely to suffer damage to their teeth if they are not wearing a sports mouthguard.
Many sports now require the use of mouthguards to prevent injury. Many injuries can result from not wearing a mouthguard, such as a broken tooth, laceration of the lip or gums, or a broken jaw. That said, nearly 67% of Americans admit that they do not wear a mouthguard during sports practices or games.
Reasons to wear a mouthguard
Most reasons for not wearing a mouthguard are related to the discomfort of wearing a mouthguard (which is fairly minimal) or peer pressure NOT to wear one.
Once a part of the tooth is chipped, that part of the tooth is gone forever. The old saying goes, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
Mouthguards can protect teeth and gums from injury, disease, and costly treatment. Different mouthguards can be used for various purposes, but they all serve the same goal: to protect teeth.
However, in the event of an injury to the teeth, the consequences will not only be uncomfortable but will likely affect your appearance more than wearing a mouthguard in the first place.
As we've already established, there are many reasons to wear a mouthguard, but if you're still not convinced, here are five of them:
1. To reduce the risk of knocking your teeth or breaking your jaw.
2. The National Youth Sports Foundation says athletes who don't wear a mouthguard are 60 times more likely to suffer damage to their teeth.
3. Mouthguards are relatively inexpensive and can potentially save you thousands of dollars in dental and medical bills due to an injury that could have been avoided.
4. The American Dental Association estimates that mouthguards prevent more than 200,000 oral injuries yearly.
5. Damage to brackets can lengthen the treatment time and/or affect treatment outcomes.
Other reasons to wear mouthguards
If you have never complained of jaw pain or severe headaches, but lately, you can't seem to get rid of those problems, you may have a condition called bruxism.
Bruxism is a condition where you grind, clench, or grind your teeth. One of the leading causes of bruxism is stress. According to Healthline, the Covid-19 pandemic has strained people's finances, leading to more cases of anxiety and stress.
As a result, grinding and clenching teeth is becoming commonplace in the United States and several other countries. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for bruxism. While it can be challenging to stop the underlying causes of teeth grinding and clenching, you can eliminate the adverse effects of bruxism by using a night guard.
Dentists recommend a custom-made night guard, and there's no way to get one without the help of an oral hygiene specialist.
The preventive dentistry you're looking for in Peoria, AZ
Mouthguards keep you or your child safe and your wallet full. There are different types of mouthguards. Your dentist can suggest the best one for you.
Your dentist may recommend as preventive dentistry that you wear a mouthguard while you sleep to keep you from grinding your teeth. You can buy mouthguards in stores or ask your dentist to custom-fit them for you. If you are unsure what type of mouthguard is right for you or if you have any questions, you can contact our professionals.
At Designer Dental Services, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality dental care for the entire family in a comfortable environment. So if you are looking for a custom mouthguard for you, your children, or anyone else you know who may need one, schedule an appointment and experience the difference!
We also offer you a wide range of dental services, including general, restorative, orthodontic, cosmetic, and preventive dentistry, among many others. Contact us today to schedule your appointment. Visit our website or give us a call: (623) 334-0012.