What exactly is a sports mouthguard?
A sports mouthguard is designed with the specific purpose of providing protection for the teeth, tongue, lips, and cheeks during high-intensity or fast-paced sports. Additionally, these oral devices can also serve to safeguard permanent orthodontics, such as metal braces, from any potential damage that may occur while engaging in physical activities.
Is it truly necessary to wear a sports mouthguard?
According to the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), nearly 40% of dental injuries are caused by sports. Surprisingly, only about 7% of athletes wear protective dental guards despite the high number of sports-related dental injuries.
However, certain sports, like high school and college football, have made it compulsory for athletes to wear mouthguards. Studies have demonstrated that this requirement has significantly reduced football-related dental and orofacial injuries from approximately 50% to less than 0.5%.
By wearing sports mouthguards, individuals can safeguard their smiles and avoid unnecessary dental treatments, saving both time and money. This enables them to continue participating in the activities they enjoy without missing any playing or practice time.