5 Key Benefits of Wearing Sports Guards

Sports and other physical activities are good for your overall health. Among other benefits, physical activity improves your memory and brain function, aids in weight management, stabilizes blood pressure, improves sleep quality, reduces anxiety and depression, and lowers the risk of developing chronic diseases.

While there are many benefits of staying active, it’s important to protect yourself from injuries. Physical injury is among the leading causes of dental trauma. When it comes to protective equipment, you have several options, and that’s where sports guards come in.

What’s a Sports Guard?

A sports guard, commonly known as a mouth guard, is a protective device that is worn over the teeth to protect oral structures from damage (teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth). Sports guards should be worn by everyone from professional athletes all the way to casual recreational enthusiasts or anyone at risk of physical injury.

Who Needs a Sports Guards?

According to the American Dental Association, anyone who is active in the following sports should wear mouthguards:

• Boxing
• Basketball
• Field hockey
• Football
• Gymnastics
• Ice hockey
• Lacrosse
• Rugby
• Racquetball
• Skateboarding
• Soccer
• Skiing
• Soccer
• Volleyball
• Wrestling

This list isn’t exhaustive. There is an argument to be made to wear a guard if you’re a rower, a rock climber, practice archery, or do cycling. Any physical activity that could reasonably cause damage to your mouth should be done with a mouth guard.

Benefits of Wearing Sports Guards

1. Protect Your Teeth From Injuries – By wearing sports guards during physical activity, your teeth are cushioned against jarring damage, which can cause tooth loss and fractures. In the occurrence of a sports accident, opposite teeth are likely to bite against each other, causing injuries. Common injuries include chipped or broken teeth, knocked out teeth, teeth shifting, and injuries to other oral structures such as lips, cheeks, and tongue. Wearing a sport’s guard will reduce the impact of teeth biting against each other, minimizing the risk of injuries.
2. Save Money – By cushioning your teeth against potential dental injuries, it eliminates the need for expensive dental treatments to fix damage. For instance, if you lose a tooth, you may have to invest in a restorative treatment such as dental implants and bridges. Compared to the price of a sport’s guard, restorative treatments are far and away more expensive.
3. Protect Your Brain – If you didn’t know, sports guards can also protect your brain. The sports guards absorb the shock of a blow to the jaw or head during the accident, protecting you from mild traumatic brain injuries and concussions caused by the secondary blow from the teeth crashing together.
4. Protect Dental Appliances – If you have current restoration or dental appliances such as braces, wearing a sport’s guard can protect them from damage. It’s worth noting that some of these restorations and appliances can be expensive to repair or replace.
5. Give Yourself Peace of Mind – By wearing a sports guard, your mouth is protected against injuries. This gives you peace of mind, allowing you to focus and achieve maximum benefits from your physical activities and performing at the highest level.

How to Choose the Right Sports Guards

Sports or mouth guards came in a variety of styles, colors, prices, and sizes. They are also readily available at most sporting stores. However, it’s better to invest in a custom sports guard to ensure a perfect fit. This also ensures less or no damage to the teeth, gums, and other oral structures.

If you’re looking for a sports guard, you can visit your dentist and request a custom-made guard for your specific dental structure. For quality custom sports guards, contact Sharon Dental Group for more information.

Taking Care of Your Sports Guards

Taking good care of your guards ensures they serve you better and longer. Fortunately, caring for a sports guard is easy. Basic tips include:

• Always store your guards in their appropriate container
• Always clean the guard after every use
• Always rinse the guards before wearing them
• Do not wash or soak your guards in hot water. Hot water can distort the plastic altering the shape and fit.
• Always brush your teeth before wearing the guards. This prevents the likelihood of food particles getting trapped between the teeth, which encourages the growth of bacteria.
• Examine your guards for damages now and then. If it’s damaged, notify your dentist for repair or replacement to ensure maximum protection.

Final verdict

Dental trauma isn’t something to leave to chance. To ensure that your mouth and teeth are protected against dental injuries, you should consider investing in a custom fit sports guard. If you’re looking for professional sports guards services, contact Sharon Dental Group today to book your appointment.