Sports mouthguards are an essential piece of equipment if you play contact sports, especially if you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Today our Vancouver orthodontist explains why wearing a sports mouthguard is so important for your orthodontic treatment.
What are sports guards or mouthguards?
A sports guard is an essential piece of equipment if you are undergoing orthodontic treatment and enjoy playing sports. A custom-fitted sports mouthguard from your Vancouver orthodontist will help to protect your smile as it transforms. In fact, we believe that whether you wear braces or not, a sports mouthguard is always a good idea for athletes.
How will a sports guard protect my braces and teeth?
A sports guard is an essential piece of protective equipment for athletes and particularly important for people who are undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces or aligners.
If you are hit in the face while playing sports, the brackets and wires that make up your braces can be an additional hazard to the delicate soft tissues of your mouth. If you aren't wearing a mouthguard and receive a blow to the mouth the chances of broken braces or damage to your teeth, lips or cheeks increases.
As your orthodontic device works to straighten your smile your teeth become looser. This means that your teeth can be more easily knocked out due to an impact. It would be a shame to have all that orthodontic treatment progress go to waste by leaving your smile unprotected.
A sports mouthguard works to help keep your teeth where they should be, protect the inside of your mouth, and prevent your braces from being damaged.
Are there different types of sports mouthguards?
Store-bought mouthguards are readily available at many pharmacies, but when it comes to protecting your smile, a custom-fitted sports mouthguard from your dentist or orthodontist is the best way to protect your braces comfortably. Custom-made mouthguards are moulded to fit teeth precisely, and provide the best possible protection for your smile.
