Why Wear A Sports Guard?

By Joey and Luke

Wearing a sports guard while playing sports is important to prevent dental and jaw related injuries. When a sports guard is worn (and fits properly), it helps provide protection for the hard (teeth and jaw) and soft (lips, cheeks, gums) tissues of the mouth by absorbing and redistributing the forces generated by traumatic blows.

I recommend a custom made sports guard when playing any type of sport where contact is involved. Custom sports guards are regarded as the most protective and comfortable type of guard. Therefore, the athlete is more likely to wear their sports guard. Custom sport guards only fit the athlete it was made for and the athlete is still able to speak quite clearly.

Boil and bite sportsguards are not recommended as they do not fit properly, move around and the athlete must clench their teeth together to keep it in. Protection is minimal. Often you will see athletes with the guard half in and half of out their mouths.

For the following sports, it is imperative a custom made sports guard is worn for maximum protection; football, boxing, hockey, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, basketball, water polo, martial arts and wrestling. As well, athletes in sports such as; skateboarding, baseball, racquetball, volleyball, tennis, gymnastics and skiing are also at risk for injury and a guard is also recommended.

If you have a dental emergency please call the office promptly. Prompt treatment is almost always required to alleviate pain and to ensure the teeth have the best possible chance of survival.

Sometimes, teeth become fractured by trauma, grinding, or biting on hard objects. In other cases, fillings, crowns, and other restorative devices can be damaged or fall out of the mouth completely. If there is severe pain, it is essential to contact our office immediately. The pain caused by dental emergencies almost always gets worse without treatment, and dental issues can seriously jeopardize physical health.