094787442
Home / Newsletter / 5 Reasons To Wear a Mouthguard

5 Reasons To Wear a Mouthguard

Imagine what it would be like if you suddenly lost one or two of your front teeth. Smiling, talking, eating - everything would suddenly be affected.

 

Mouthguards, help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. They typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining. Knowing how to prevent injuries like these is especially important if you participate in organized sports or other recreational activities

 

When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age. In fact, studies show that athletes are 60 times more likely to suffer harm to the teeth if they’re not wearing a mouthguard. While collision and contact sports, such as boxing, are higher-risk sports for the mouth, you can experience a dental injury in non-contact activities too, such as gymnastics and skating.

The best mouthguard is one that has been custom made for your mouth by your dentist. However, if you can’t afford a custom-fitted mouthguard, you should still wear a stock mouthguard or a boil-and-bite mouthguard. If you wear braces or another fixed dental appliance on your lower jaw, your dentist may suggest a mouthguard for these teeth as well.

A properly fitted mouthguard may be especially important for people who wear braces or have fixed bridge work. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances. A mouthguard also provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek or lips, limiting the risk of soft tissue injuries.

If you have a retainer or other removable appliance, do not wear it during any contact sports. Talk to your dentist about selecting a mouthguard that will provide the best protection. 

 

There are three types of mouthguards:

  • Custom-fitted. These are made by your dentist for you personally. They are more expensive than the other versions, but because they are customized, usually offer the best fit.
  • Stock. These are inexpensive and come pre-formed, ready to wear. Unfortunately, they often don’t fit very well. They can be bulky and can make breathing and talking difficult
mouthguard
 
  • Boil and bite. These mouthguards can be bought at many sports stores and may offer a better fit than stock mouthguards. They are first softened in water (boiled), then inserted and allowed to adapt to the shape of your mouth. 
  •  

Some tips for caring for your mouthguard:

  • Rinse before and after each use or brush with a toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Occasionally clean the mouthguard in cool, soapy water and rinse thoroughly
  • Transport the mouthguard in a sturdy container that has vents
  • Never leave the mouthguard in the sun or in hot water Check for wear and tear to see if it needs replacing


Electrolyte Drinks vs Sports Drinks


electrolyte

Sports pre training has begun and each year we see an ever increasing rate of decay in our kids, teenagers and students. We rely on so called “sports drinks” to energise and rehydrate without realising the long term damage to development, teeth and system health. As Lance Armstrong said, if you are not racing or training for more than one hour, there is no need for sports replenishment drinks. Good old fashioned water and a healthy diet is all that is required. But on a hot day you may need to replace your electrolytes as well as fluid . New generation Electrolyte drinks which are free from sugar , caffeine and have a high PH do on the other hand help with recovery and hydration and maybe this is the direction parents should be heading.