Sports Mouthguard wagga
Many sports have risk of contact and therefore serious dental injury. These sorts of injuries are often difficult to treat, and often involve a lifetime of expense.
However, if untreated, gum infections can cause serious health problems, including tooth loss or even cardiovascular and other health complications.
And you don’t just have to be playing obvious contact sports like rugby union, rugby league, AFL, hockey and boxing to sustain those kinds of injuries. Even non-contact sports like cricket, basketball, netball, touch football, skateboarding and soccer, carry a real risk of accidental collision, and resulting dental trauma.
How a mouthguard works
A mouthguard that is custom-fitted by your dentist is far superior to an over-the-counter mouthguard because it’s specially designed to fit the exact contours of your mouth, is resilient, balances your bite and allows speech and normal breathing. If properly used, stored, and checked by your dentist every year, a custom-fitted mouthguard should last several seasons.
WEARING A CUSTOM-FITTED MOUTHGUARD
Only dental professionals can design and manufacture a custom-fitted mouthguard that provides adequate protection.
To keep your mouthguard in tip-top working order, you’ll need to keep it out of the sun, wash it in cold water after use, keep on the supplied plastic model cast and get your dentist to make sure it’s still OK when you go in for your regular check-ups. If it’s been damaged when playing, it may need to be replaced.
If you don’t experience any major dental work such as restoration, it can last for quite a few years. When it comes to children’s mouthguards, they need to be replaced every 12 to 18 months due to the child’s growth and any new teeth that alter the fit.
Remember, if a mouthguard starts to feel uncomfortable or doesn’t fit well, see your dentist for help.
(Source: Australian Dental Association)