Here’s how you can protect your teeth from sports injuries

There’s no doubt that playing sports can be a great thing. It’s wonderful to have fun and be active, but unfortunately, sports-related dental injuries are inevitable.

Imagine what it would be like if you suddenly lost one or two of your front teeth. Smiling, talking, eating, everything would suddenly be affected.

Mouthguard, also called mouth protector, help cushion a blow to the face, minimising the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. They typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining. Top teeth take the maximum trauma because they are more out than the bottom ones, but bottom teeth are a little more protected because they are further back.

When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age.

While collision and contact sports, such as boxing, are higher-risk sports for the mouth, any athlete may experience a dental injury in non-contact activities too, such as gymnastics and skating.

Types of Mouthguard

The best mouthguard is one that has been custom made for your mouth by your dentist. The other ones can be bought at many sporting goods stores and drugstores. They are first softened in hot water, then inserted and allowed to adapt to the shape of your mouth.

Always follow the manufacturers’ instructions. Pre-formed, ready to wear type are also available in the market but unfortunately they often don’t fit very well.

Protecting your braces

A properly fitted mouthguard may be especially important for people who wear braces or have fixed bridge work.

A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances. A mouthguard also provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek or lips, which will help you avoid injuries to your gums and cheeks.

Some DO’S and DONT’S

• It’s important to keep your mouthguard clean and dry.

• Rinse before and after each use or brush with a toothbrush and toothpaste.

• During your regular dental checkups, take your mouthguard for an evaluation.

• Store and transport the mouthguard in a sturdy container that has vents so it can dry and keep bacteria from growing.

• Never leave the mouthguard in the sun or in hot water.

Talk to your dentist about selecting a mouthguard that will provide the right protection according to your need.

Although some mouthguard only cover the upper teeth, your dentist may suggest that you use a mouthguard on the lower teeth if you have braces on these teeth. If you have a retainer or other removable appliance, do not wear it during any contact sports.