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Athletic Mouthguards
Use of a mouthguard can prevent serious damage to your mouth or jaws caused by sports injuries. Dental injuries can not only be painful, but also quite expensive. Treatment can last for several months, or even years. Mouthguards serve the purpose of a cushion and help even out the absorption of the blow’s impact by acting as a fence between your teeth and the soft tissue in your mouth.
The three main kinds of athletic mouthguards are:
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stock mouthguards
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boil-and-bite mouthguards
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custom-made mouthguards
Stock mouthguards and boil-and-bite mouthguards are available for sale in sporting goods stores and over the internet. While stock mouthguards are ready for use as they are, they can be more difficult to wear as they do not fit as well. Boil-and-bite mouthguards are placed in very hot water and then placed in the mouth and conformed using finger and tongue pressure. You will need to consult a dental professional for prescription and fitting of custom-made mouthguards.
Your mouthguard should be comfortable, well-fitting and durable, especially if you wear braces or similar fixed orthodontic devices. You should be able to clean your mouthguard easily, and it shouldn’t make it difficult for you to speak or breathe. While stock mouthguards are less expensive than boil-and-bite and custom-made mouthguards, you will need to bite down on them repetitively to hold them in position.
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Although boil-and-bite mouthguards offer a better, closer fit, their thickness gets reduced when you bite into them, thereby diminishing their level of protection. Custom-made mouthguards offer more protection and comfort than the other two varieties. However, they are the most expensive of the three.
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Reduce Your Risk
Make a smart investment by using athletic mouthguards for security from painful and costly dental injuries caused during sports. While participating in activities like basketball, squash, gymnastics or martial arts, use a mouthguard based on your needs and budget. For more information about athletic mouthguards, visit the Health Canada website.