Mouth Guards Recommended for Most Sports

You might think that you don’t need a mouth guard if you’re not competing in contact sports. However, dental trauma is common in many sports that aren’t commonly defined as “contact sports.” The sports that the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends mouth guards for include:

  • Baseball and softball
  • Basketball
  • Bicycling
  • Boxing and martial arts
  • Equestrian
  • Extreme sports like mountain biking, skateboarding, and skydiving
  • Field events
  • Football
  • Gymnastics and acrobatics
  • Handball, squash, and racquetball
  • Hockey, ice, and field
  • Inline skatingLacrosse
  • Rugby
  • Skiing
  • Soccer
  • Volleyball
  • Weightlifting
  • Wrestling

We understand that people aren’t used to seeing recommendations for wearing a mouth guard while competing in this many sports. However, the recommendations are based on the science of dental injuries. Wearing a mouth guard in these sports could reduce your risk of injury to your teeth and face by up to 93%.

Wearing a Mouth Guard Prevents Many Injuries

A mouth guard does more than protecting your teeth. When you take a blow to your face without a mouthguard, the teeth are driven into each other. Teeth don’t deflect the force of the blow, which can lead to many injuries, including:

  • Chipped or broken teeth
  • Knocked-out teeth
  • Broken or dislocated jaw
  • Cut lips, cheek, and tongue

A mouth guard absorbs the force of blows, and cushions teeth against hitting each other. This significantly reduces the risks of these types of injuries.

However, the evidence does not prove that mouth guards will reduce your risk of concussions. This is possible, but has not been proven by science.

Professional Mouth Guards Offer More Protection

There are three types of mouth guards generally available:

  • Stock
  • Boil-and-bite
  • Professional

Stock mouthguards are used as they come, directly from the shelf. They generally fit poorly and are uncomfortable. It’s not uncommon for people to buy these mouth guards and not wear them unless they’re forced to. When these mouth guards are used, they not only interfere with performance, but they also can actually increase your risk of some types of injuries.

Boil-and-bite mouth guards are very popular because they are inexpensive. People also like that they can be more comfortable because they do conform to your teeth to some extent. They feel like they’re providing a lot of protection, but in many cases, this isn’t the case. The soft material only provides a small amount of cushioning, and in many cases, there is only a tiny amount of material between the teeth. These mouth guards also wear out quickly, so if you use one, you should replace it frequently.

Professional mouth guards offer:

  • Greater protection
  • More comfortable fit
  • Long-lasting protection

A professional mouth guard is made for you and fitted by a dentist, helping to ensure a better fit. It’s made with highly durable materials, and it’s designed to ensure there’s enough material between your teeth to provide maximum protection. The durable material also ensures the mouth guard will last longer.

Are You Looking for a Mouth Guard?

If you enjoy sports and regularly participate in a high level of activity, you should wear a mouth guard. To get a comfortable, effective, and durable professional mouth guard in Sterling Heights, MI, please call (586) 977-8413 today for an appointment at Skowronski Family Dentistry.