You are playing sport and someone mentioned a mouthguard. You assumed it was just for rugby. The reality is that many sports carry real risk of dental injury — and a custom-fitted mouthguard makes a significant difference.
Which Sports Actually Need a Mouthguard?
You might be surprised to learn that rugby is not the only sport where dental injuries happen. Basketball, hockey, cricket, martial arts, boxing, skateboarding, and even gymnastics all carry real risk to your teeth. Any sport where physical contact or falls are likely is worth protecting yourself for.
A knocked-out tooth is one of the most traumatic dental injuries. It can cost thousands to treat, take months to resolve, and sometimes cannot be saved at all. A mouthguard costs a fraction of that and takes minutes to wear.
What a Mouthguard Actually Protects
A properly fitted mouthguard does more than just cushion a blow to your front teeth. It helps protect your entire jaw, reduces the risk of concussion, and can prevent cuts to your lips and cheeks. It holds your teeth in place during impact rather than letting them absorb the full force directly.
Sports mouthguards are designed to absorb and distribute the energy from a blow to your face. Without one, that force goes straight into your teeth and jawbone.
Off-the-Shelf vs Custom-Fitted
You have probably seen basic mouthguards in sports shops. They come in standard sizes and you boil them to try and shape them to your teeth. They offer some protection, but they rarely fit well. If they are loose or uncomfortable, you are more likely to leave them in your kit bag.
A custom-fitted mouthguard from your dentist is made from a precise impression of your teeth. It fits perfectly, stays in place, and is far more comfortable to wear. That means you are far more likely to actually use it.
Make Protection a Habit
If you play sport regularly, make wearing a mouthguard as automatic as lacing up your boots. Store it in a clean, ventilated case and rinse it after every use. Check it regularly for wear and replace it if it starts to thin.
Your teeth are worth protecting. A custom mouthguard from your dentist gives you the best possible fit and the best possible protection.
Call 01323 723757 or book at www.meadsdental.com
Meads Village Dental Practice