custom sports mouth guards

Using Custom Sports Mouth Guards For Shock Absorption

by | Jan 8, 2021 | Dental Appliances, General Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, Preventive Dentistry

You may often see popular weightlifters and boxers wearing custom sports mouth guards. In reality, these shock absorbers aren’t only for powerful athletes to prevent a fractured tooth. Your dental hygienist may recommend you to use one when engaging in any strenuous activity or contact sports.

History of custom sports mouth guards

Mouth protectors have been on the rise, as they are proven useful to avoid getting any chipped molar. Using one can save you from having a costly chipped tooth repair.

Materials

Using custom sports mouth guards to prevent a broken tooth dates back to more than a hundred years ago.

The first mouth guard prototypes used are made of the following materials:

  • Sponge
  • Tape
  • Cotton
  • Small wood pieces

Who first used them?

Boxers are the first athletes to use a custom mouth guard, as their sport’s nature is dangerous. Chipped tooth pain doesn’t only cause discomfort, as it also makes athletes lose their focus.

Like any contact sport, boxing can expose you to the dangers of getting a cracked tooth. It is a common risk because of the proximity and pressure involved. 

Excellent means of shock absorption

For boxers, a painful blow to the face may result in a broken molar. The applied pressure goes past through the skin surface and affects your teeth. This case rings true for anyone; may you be an athlete or not.

As a result of trauma, you may experience inflammation and discomfort that can later lead to tooth extraction. To avoid this inconvenience, you need to protect your oral structures. Custom mouth guards reduce the shock by acting as a barrier between the force and your soft tissues. 

Wearing a mouth guard can keep you safe from direct or indirect chipped tooth injuries that result from trauma. It’s not only your teeth that receive protection, as you also ensure that your soft tissues and jaw remain intact.

What sports in Canada require mouth protection?

In Canada, some of the sports that require the use of a sports mouth guard are the following:

  • Boxing (amateur and professional)
  • Football (amateur)
  • Hockey (amateur)
  • Rugby (amateur)
  • Lacrosse
  • Karate
  • Martial arts
  • Taekwondo

The use of oral devices as a shock absorber isn’t mandatory in most countries. However, studies across other countries support the benefits of mouth protectors. The American Dental Association recommends wearing mouth guards for 29 sports activities to avoid oral injuries.

Custom sports mouth guards aren’t just useful for athletes, as you can also benefit from them to prevent any tooth restoration. Consult your Aurora dentist if you need one, especially when you enjoy engaging in any exercise or physical activity.

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