5 Things You Should Know About Sports Mouth Guards

For anyone playing sports, you likely know by now that sports mouth guards are a crucial part of protecting your teeth. Unfortunately, it isn’t enough to just wear a mouth guard. A mouth guard that doesn’t fit properly or has become worn down over time can prove just as disastrous as not wearing a mouth guard at all! To help maintain the longevity of your smile, we put together five tips for using a mouth guard that you might not have heard before. Although this blog post can be a great starting point, a dentist near you can provide additional guidance about mouth guard usage.

Mouth Guards Protect Your Teeth

To reduce the risk of dental emergencies caused by contact sports, a mouth guard is encouraged to be worn anytime you are playing one of these sports. Mouth guards can offer you protection by providing a shield around your teeth.

To ensure you can keep playing the sports you love without fear of dental injury (or an emergency trip to a dentist in McKenzie Towne), finding a dentist that can custom fit a mouth guard near you is a must!

You Need To Clean Your Mouth Guard

Like anything else, your mouth guard will collect bacteria the more you use it. The more bacteria your mouth guard contains, the more likely you will be to contract an illness, develop a cavity or have bad breath. These side effects can be easily avoided by regularly cleaning your mouth guard between uses. Cleaning your mouth guard can be done by taking a toothbrush, brushing your mouth guard, and rinsing it afterwards. Additionally, dentists recommend soak ingyour mouth guard in vinegar for 30 minutes, rinsing it off, soaking it in hydrogen peroxide for another 30 minutes between giving it a final rinse. Some dentists also suggest you can soak your mouth guard in a combination of mouth wash and water.

Off-the-Shelf Mouth Guards Aren’t Suitable For Long Term Use

For those who play contact sports frequently, an off-the-shelf or stock mouth guard won’t cut it. This is because the mouthguards you mind at the store have not been adjusted to match your bite and may not be sized correctly. It is also important to note that you get what you pay for, so the cheaper the mouth guard, the lower quality it will be—on the contrary, having a mouth guard that has been custom-fit to your mouth results in more excellent protection your teeth.

That said, as you wait for your custom-fit mouth guards from McKenzie Towne, a store-bought alternative will still be better than nothing.

You Should Replace Your Mouth Guard Every 6 Months

As you continue to use your mouth guard, it, like anything else, will break down with time. The rubber will naturally wear down to a point where it can no longer offer your teeth protection. This means regularly changing your mouth guard every six months will ensure that your teeth are in good hands.

You Can (And Should) Still Wear A Mouth Guard With Braces

Orthodontic treatment is not a replacement for seeking out mouth guards near you. Braces are held together by wires, which help align your teeth, not offer protection against potential impact. In the event of injury, your braces can be ripped off, bent or ruined without the security of a mouth guard. To avoid prolonging your treatment, a mouth guard must be worn over top of your braces.

To learn more about getting a mouth guard, we encourage you to reach out to your dentist in McKenzie Towne. Dentists in South Trail Crossing Dental can help you create the perfect mouth guard for your smile and lifestyle. Learn more about your options by calling (403) 720-2778 or submitting an appointment request online.

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