Getting ready to hit the track, court, or any other sports field? If the answer is yes, you already know how important it is to wear the right footwear and apparel. But have you been protecting your pearly whites from harm as well?
There are over five million forcible tooth extractions every year, most of which occur on the playing field. In fact, 13% to 39% of all dental injuries are sports-related. Males experience tooth loss during sports twice as often as females.
How can you keep your pearly whites out of harm’s way? A dental mouthguard is an affordable and easy-to-use protector. It typically covers your upper teeth, but a dentist can create a custom-fit mouthpiece for your lower teeth as well.
3 Best Dental Mouthguards
With over $500 million spent on replacing teeth every year, it’s essential to protect your smile during contact sports and activities.
Anyone (children and adults) who participates in contact sports should protect their teeth. These activities include:
- Football
- Boxing
- Soccer
- Ice Hockey
- Basketball
- Lacrosse
- Field Hockey
- Skateboarding
- Skiing/Snowboarding
The three best dental mouthguards for sports are stock mouth protectors, boil and bite mouthguards, and custom-fitted mouthpieces.
1. Stock Mouth Protector Dental Mouthguard
Stock mouth protectors are pre-made and ready to wear. They’re inexpensive and available at most sporting goods stores.
Unfortunately, since stock mouth protectors aren’t designed for your mouth, they often don’t fit the best. They feel bulky and awkward, making it difficult to speak and breathe.
Stock mouth protectors offer minimal tooth protection. They are handy in a pinch, but most dentists don’t recommend them for athletes.
2. Boil and Bite Mouth Protector
Boil and bite mouthguards have a better fit than stock mouth protectors. They can be purchased at most sporting good stores at a reasonable price.
These dental mouthguards are made from thermoplastic material. Place the mouthguard in boiling water to soften its plastic. Once it’s soft, you must place the mouthguard in your mouth to shape it around your teeth.
The boil and bite process creates a mouthguard fitted to your facial structure. This enables your dental piece to protect your teeth without feeling awkward in your mouth.
3. Custom-Fitted Mouthguard
If you’re a serious athlete, it’s recommended to receive a custom-fitted mouthguard from a professional team, like All on Four Dental Implants. Custom-fitted mouthguards are the most protective mouthpieces and fit your face perfectly, making it easy to speak and breathe while you’re on the field.
Your dentist will first make an impression of your teeth. Then, he or she will create a mouthguard using the model and high-quality materials. This process creates a mouthguard specially designed for your teeth that offers the best possible protection.
Since custom-fit mouthguards require a more intense molding process, they are often more expensive. But they offer numerous benefits that make them the most effective mouthguards available.
Discover More About Dental Care
Keep your teeth protected all the time by following exceptional dental care processes. A protective dental mouthguard is the best way to keep your teeth safe and your smile shining.
Stay up-to-date on various dental trends by following our blog. We’ve got news on the latest and greatest health technology and practices to keep your body in tip-top shape.
