Are you or your kids practicing any sports? If you are a professional athlete or you just practice sports for fun, and especially if you do any contact sports, your smile is often at risk of damage. To protect it, Everett dentists recommend that you use a proper mouth guard while enjoying your sports activities.
What is a mouth guard?
A mouth guard is a protective mouth device that covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce injuries. It is mostly used in contact sports but could also be a part of certain dental procedures, like tooth bleaching. Depending on their application, mouth guards can also be as mouth protectors, gum shields, gum guards, night guards, or bite splints.
Nowadays, mouth guards have become a standard in many sports. The American Dental Association has made many studies, revealing that mouth guard are extremely effective in preventing facial injuries in sports. The Dental Association recommends mouth guard usage in the following sports: acrobatics, basketball, bicycling, boxing, equestrian, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, inline skating, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, rugby football, shot putting, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, softball, squash, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting and wrestling.
How can you benefit from a mouth guard?
The main usage of mouth guards is to prevent injuries, but they also have other applications, the most common of which are:
1.To prevent night grinding
Mouth guards are often used for adults and children who grind their teeth at night. They should wear a nocturnal bite plate or bite splint, made to prevent tooth damage.
2.For oral treatment
Mouth guards can be used as a therapeutic device in the treatment or prevention of different medical conditions, like bruxism. They can also be used to deliver topical medication (e.g., corticosteroids) for chronic gingival diseases.
3.During aesthetic dental procedures
Mouth guards are used during tooth bleaching for prevention of the soft tissues in the mouth.
4.Orthodontics
One of the most preferred methods for orthodontic treatment in modern dentistry, Invisalign, consists of a set of aligners in the shape of mouth guards that gradually align teeth over the course of the treatment.
5.Alternative usage
Favorite celebrity, Megan Fox, has chosen to wear a mouth guard during a tattoo removal session to help with the pain and protect her teeth.
A friend of Megan shared: “After the first session Megan was freaking out over how badly it hurt. Her friend suggested a mouth guard to bite down on to help deal with the pain and protect her teeth. The mouth guard is working out nicely. It helps deal with what she considers absolute torture.”
Do I need a Mouth Guard?
Mouth guards could be used by anyone, both children and adults, who practice contact sports such as football, basketball, boxing, soccer, ice hockey and field hockey. However, even those participating in noncontact sports (ex. gymnastics) and any recreational activity (ex. skateboarding or mountain biking) who might face a risk of injury to the mouth or jaw would benefit from wearing a protective mouth guard.
Where can I get one?
Even though, you can easily purchase a mouth guard from department stores or over the internet, Everett dentists recommend that you chose a custom-fitted mouth guard, that is individually designed under your dentist instructions to meet your own needs. Those mouth guards provide the most comfort and protection.
If you are a resident of Everett, you can rely on the professional service of Dr. Kavitha Gowda, from Perfect Smiles Dentistry. Dr. Gowda, who is one of the best dental specialist in Everett would offer you a customized mouth guard solution, specially designed for your needs.