By sunrisedentallab | 12 December 2023 | 0 Comments
The Importance of Mouth Guards in Sports Safety
Playing sports involves a lot of physical exertion and contact, which brings a higher risk for injuries, including dental injuries that can lead to long-term dental problems. One solution to prevent these types of oral injuries is by wearing mouth guards. Mouth guards are essential gear for athletes participating in sports that involve falls, body contact, and flying objects. This article will explore the importance of mouth guards, how they prevent sports injuries, choosing the right mouth guard for different sports, the role of dental labs in sports dentistry, and real-life athlete stories saved by mouth guards.
1.Mouth Guards: An Essential Gear for Athletes
Mouth guards, also known as sports guards, are dental devices placed over your teeth to protect your teeth, gums, lips, and tongue from injuries while playing sports. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends mouth guards for athletes participating in contact sports like soccer, football, boxing, hockey, martial arts, basketball, and many others. The primary purpose of mouth guards is to distribute the force of a blow uniformly, preventing damage to the teeth, lips, gums, and jaw.
2.How Mouth Guards Prevent Sports Injuries
Mouth guards can prevent a wide range of dental injuries, including tooth fractures, chipped teeth, lip lacerations, and knocked-out teeth. Basketball players are at high risk of dental injuries from contact with other players, hard floors, and the ball. Soccer players often collide with other players, fall on their faces, or get hit by the ball. Boxers, martial artists, and hockey players get hit with hard blows, including direct head and face hits. These sports are all examples of sports that require mouth guards to protect athletes from oral injuries.
3.Choosing the Right Mouth Guard for Your Sport
Choosing the right mouth guard for your sport is essential for proper protection. A well-made mouth guard should fit comfortably, not interfere with breathing or speaking and stay secure while playing. There are three types of mouth guards available for athletes: stock mouth guards, boil, and bite mouth guards, and custom mouth guards. Stock mouth guards are pre-formed and ready to wear, but they don't fit well and provide minimal protection. Boil and bite mouth guards are made from thermoplastic material that molds to the teeth when boiled in hot water. Custom mouth guards are the best option because they are made to specifically fit your teeth, bite, and mouth structure. Custom mouth guards are available through a dental lab.
3.The Role of Dental Labs in Sports Dentistry
Dental labs perform an essential role in creating custom mouth guards for athletes. Dental lab technicians use materials like silicon, acrylic, and laminate to design and create comfortable and functional mouth guards. The dentist makes an impression of the athlete's teeth, and the lab technician creates a mold using this impression to make a custom mouth guard. Using dental labs ensures that the athlete gets a comfortable, well-fitting, and functional mouthguard made to protect their specific dental needs.
3.Real-Life Stories: Athletes Saved by Mouth Guards
There are numerous stories of athletes who have been saved or had injuries significantly reduced by wearing mouth guards. Famous athletes like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Floyd Mayweather all wear mouth guards during their respective sports. One such story is of a high school football player whose lip and teeth were severely injured after being tackled. He required extensive dental and lip surgery and missed several weeks of school, but he was wearing a mouth guard, which saved his teeth from being knocked out completely. Another story is about a professional basketball player who had a loose tooth knocked out during a game and was able to continue playing because he was wearing a mouth guard.
Mouth guards are essential gear for athletes participating in sports where there is a risk of dental injuries. They distribute the force of a blow evenly and prevent damage to the teeth, gums, lips, and jaw. Choosing the right mouth guard for your sport is essential for proper protection, and custom-made mouth guards from dental labs provide the best fit and protection. Dentists and dental labs play a critical role in sports dentistry by educating athletes on mouth guard safety and providing custom mouth guards. Protect yourself and your teeth from sports injuries—wear a mouth guard. Contact Sunrise Dental Lab for more information on custom mouth guards at Tel: +86 13528731573 or E-mail: [email protected].
Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked. *