What You Need to Know About Mouth Guards
When playing sports, many people take precautions such as wearing helmets and other protective gear on their bodies to avoid injury—but did you know that mouth and teeth injuries send a great many athletes to the cosmetic dentist every year? Mouth guards are an extremely important sports accessory that you should wear any time you are playing a high-contact sport. To learn more about mouth guards, read on.
The American Dental Association recommends that you wear a mouth guard if you participate in basketball, boxing, hockey, football, gymnastics, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, rugby, track and field, skateboarding, skiing and snowboarding, skydiving, soccer, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, or wrestling. Whether or not you have braces, you should protect your teeth and gums in case of accident.
Mouth guards come in three forms: the pre-made mouth guard, the “boil and bite” mouth guard, and the custom-made mouth guard. Which one is right for you? That depends on the frequency with which you use your mouth guard. If you find you only hit the field or court once in a while, you probably do not need to get a custom-fitted mouth guard, but whichever mouth guard you decide on, make sure it is tear-resistant, well-fitted to your mouth, and easy to clean.
Some tips for caring for your mouth guard include gently scrubbing it with a toothbrush and toothpaste after each use, storing it in a protective case when you are not using it, and bringing your mouth guard to your dental checkups in order for your dentist to be able to make sure it is in good working order. Do not leave your mouth guard in the sun—it may melt and become misshapen. Additionally, do not wear your mouth guard with a retainer simultaneously.
As specialists in cosmetic dentistry as well as periodontal disease, the experts at Redondo Beach Dental Group are here to help you attain the smile you deserve. To learn more about our procedures or to schedule an appointment, please give our friendly personnel a call at (310) 542-6988.
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