Safeguard Your Smile From Sport Injuries With a Mouthguard

Plenty of people gear up for sport with a helmet and shin guards, then overlook one of the most exposed parts of the body: the mouth. Whether you play football, basketball, hockey or anything in between, protecting your teeth with a mouthguard is well worth it. Here are some of the main reasons to wear one.

A single stray elbow or awkward fall can do lasting damage in an instant, so a little protection goes a long way.

It helps prevent dental injuries

The primary job of a mouthguard is shielding your teeth from being cracked, chipped or knocked out during play. It’s straightforward protection for the part of you that’s surprisingly easy to injure and not at all easy to repair.

Beyond the teeth themselves, a mouthguard helps protect the jaw by absorbing and spreading the force of an impact across a wider area, which can help reduce the risk of injuries to the jaw joint. That cushioning effect is part of why a well-made guard is worth having.

It guards your lips, cheeks and gums

There’s a softer-tissue benefit too. During contact sports, there’s always a chance of a tooth scraping or cutting the inside of the lip or cheek. A good mouthguard sits between your teeth and the soft tissues of your mouth, adding a layer of protection against those painful lacerations.

It’s the kind of injury that’s easy to forget about until it happens, and easy to prevent with the right gear.

Why custom-made is worth it

While off-the-shelf guards exist, a custom-made mouthguard fitted to your teeth tends to offer better protection and far more comfort. Because it fits properly, it’s less bulky, stays put during play, and is more likely to actually be worn, which is, after all, the whole point.

A guard left in the kit bag protects no one, so comfort and fit genuinely matter.

Protect your smile before the season starts

The best time to sort a mouthguard is before you need it. If you or someone in the family plays sport, get in touch with TMJ Therapy Centre to talk through a custom mouthguard and keep those smiles protected.