If you or your child plays sports, you have probably invested quite a bit of money in equipment and protective gear, but what about protection for teeth? Many dental and facial injuries in sports are preventable, or their severity can be reduced with a well-fitting sports mouthguard. Popular sports like hockey, rugby, soccer and martial arts can all damage teeth. Also, it will soon be the season for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. All these sports are high risk for dental injuries in Oshawa, and it can be a false economy to skimp on an ill-fitting mouthguard.
Sports mouthguards are mandatory for most amateur football, minor hockey leagues, amateur rugby and martial arts, boxing and lacrosse. However, some people will try to use over the counter or stock mouthguards that cost only a few dollars. These mouth guards tend to be one size fits all, and often the wearer must clench their teeth to hold them in place. Their bulkiness makes them uncomfortable to wear, and it can be difficult to breathe and speak. Another type of mouthguard is called a boil and bite mouth guard, and which is also available over the counter. It offers a marginally better fit, but it can still be uncomfortable to use and may affect breathing and speech. Over the counter mouth guards cannot offer any substantial protection for your teeth and jaws.
Treating dental injuries over a lifetime can be expensive and especially as the cost for treating a missing front tooth can range from $5000-$10,000 over the years. Also, dental injuries can be extremely upsetting. Surely, it’s worth ensuring your teeth or your child’s teeth have the best possible protection with a custom made sports mouthguard in Whitby.
Advantages of Choosing a Custom-Made Sports Mouthguard
If you have previously used an over-the-counter mouth guard, you will immediately see and feel the difference with a custom made appliance. Instead of impeding speech and affecting breathing, your custom mouth guard will be comfortable to wear, allowing you to breathe and speak easily. You won’t need to clench your teeth together to keep it in place, and it shouldn’t feel too bulky. However, custom-made mouthguards are individually designed to make sure your teeth benefit from maximum protection, cushioning your teeth and jaws against unwanted blows to the face.
How is a Sports Mouthguard Made and How Long Will It Last?
They are fabricated using a dental impression of your teeth to ensure the fit is precise. A properly fitted mouthguard is durable and has a thickness of at least 3 mm and will fit snugly. We take digital dental impressions in Ajax which are extremely advanced and very comfortable, creating a perfect duplicate of your teeth. Your mouthguard can last two or three seasons depending on have frequently you use it, but we can check the fit and durability regularly here at Margolian Dentistry. Children may need a new mouthguard more often to accommodate tooth and jaw growth.
Caring for Sports Mouthguards
It is easy to look after your sports mouthguard as you need to rinse it with cold water or mouthwash before and after each use, and you can clean more thoroughly with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Don’t use hot water to clean your sports mouthguard as this could distort it. Your mouthguard should be stored in a perforated container that prevents damage and which allows air to circulate freely around it. Keep your mouthguard away from extreme heat and direct sunlight as this can degrade the material or alter its fit.
A custom sports mouthguard isn’t very expensive and could save you time, money and a lot of heartache.
