Reasons to Wear a Mouthguard

Wearing a mouthguard is an essential part of certain sports. But why exactly do you need to wear a mouthguard while playing sports? And, are there other reasons why you would want to wear a custom-made mouth guard? In this blog post, we will discuss what a mouthguard can be used for and why you should wear one.

A mouthguard is a custom-made device that protects the wearer’s teeth, gums, and jaw from injury. There are different mouthguards that can be used for different purposes, such as sports mouthguards or nightguards.

• A sports mouth guard is an important safety accessory for many sports such as boxing, football, basketball, ice hockey and field hockey. It is usually made to fit over the upper teeth and gums, since the upper jaw sticks out farther and is more prone to injury. In some cases, sports mouthguards can be made to fit over both the top and bottom teeth.
• A nightguard is an important nighttime accessory for people who grind or clench their teeth at night while they sleep. In some cases, a nightguard may even be used to treat snoring or obstructive sleep apnea. Nightguards can be made to fit over the top and/or bottom teeth.

There are a variety of reasons why one should wear a mouthguard, whether it be for sports or nighttime use. Here are some of the most common reasons why you should wear a mouthguard:

Prevent Tooth Damage

There is always the risk of injury when participating in sports, and some sports may have a higher risk for oral injury than others. Wearing a sports mouthguard protects your teeth in the case that you take a blow to the face. This means that your teeth are less likely to become chipped or cracked. They are also less likely to get knocked out or driven down into the jawbone.

Nightguards can also protect your teeth from damage. Although it may be hard to conceptualize your teeth becoming damaged while you sleep, this is very possible if you regularly grind or clench your teeth at night. Many people are unaware of this behavior until they visit their dentist. Wearing a nightguard prevents your teeth from becoming damaged when they press or grind against one another.

Prevent  Disease

Many people don’t realize that damaged teeth are at a higher risk of developing dental diseases like tooth decay. This is because bacteria can enter the tooth through chips or cracks, which can cause a bacterial infection known as pulpitis.

Grinding and clenching can also lead to problems such as gum disease or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Gum disease can occur when the gums pull away from the teeth, which allows bacteria to collect. TMD can also occur due to the constant strain being exerted on the jaw joint from grinding or clenching. Wearing a mouthguard protects your teeth from damage, which also helps to prevent your teeth and gums from disease as well. 

Avoid Costly and Painful Treatments

In many cases, teeth that have become damaged will require some type of dental treatment to restore them. The exact type of treatment will depend upon the location and extent of the injury, as well as whether or not the injured area is affected by decay. In cases where a tooth is severely damaged and/or loose, it may need to be extracted entirely. Teeth that have been knocked out will also need to be replaced. According to Colgate, the cost of replacing a lost tooth is around 20 times more than the cost of a mouthguard. Wearing a mouthguard minimizes the risk of damage, which decreases the need for costly dental treatments.

Mouthguards can protect your teeth and gums from injury, disease, and costly treatment. There are different types of mouth guards that can be used for different purposes but all serve the same purpose: to protect your teeth. If you’re not sure what type of mouthguard is best for you or if you have any questions, be sure to speak with your local dentist.