Posted by West Valley Natural Dentistry on Dec 10 2021, 07:45 AM
If you participate in sports or love being active, you are probably well aware of the importance of also protecting yourself from injury. Depending on the activity of your choice, you have a variety of options for protective equipment. Mouthguards for contact sports are ideal for preventing mouth injuries and keeping your teeth and gums safe.
At West Valley Natural Dentistry in Boise, Idaho, we offer patients personalized mouthguards that ensure a comfortable fit and additional protection to safeguard their oral health when playing contact sports.
Mouthguards for sports are classified into three types. The stock fit and boil-and-bite options are readily accessible at sporting goods stores and drugstores. They can be bulky and uncomfortable to wear, and do not provide a tight fit, which may limit their effectiveness.
The third type is a custom-fitted mouthguard you can get from a dental healthcare provider. These are custom-made based on your oral structure and provide the best fit, comfort, and degree of protection.
Here are the 3 main benefits of wearing a mouthguard for contact sports:
The most obvious benefit of wearing a mouthguard for contact sports like hockey, football, and lacrosse, is protecting your teeth. When athletes do not take precautions, they may incur tooth damage and even tooth loss. A correctly fitted mouthguard will stay firmly in place while you are playing sports, allowing you to speak and breathe properly while also providing protection.
If you have braces, bridgework, or other dental work, you must always take steps to protect your teeth. Wearing a mouthguard for contact sports will keep your teeth as well as your dental work safe. It will also safeguard the soft tissues in your mouth by offering an extra layer of protection between your dental work and your cheeks, lips, and tongue.
Contact sports can affect more than just your teeth. Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard can also shield you from more serious injuries like a fractured jaw, cerebral bleeding, concussion, and neck injuries by preventing the lower jaw from hitting the upper jaw. Therefore, investing in a high-quality mouthguard is well worth it.
For more on the benefits of wearing a mouthguard for contact sports, contact West Valley Natural Dentistry at (208) 377-2223, schedule an appointment online, or visit our office at 9502 W. Fairview Ave., Boise ID 83704.
