Why Athletes Should Wear Mouth Guards

Why Athletes Should Wear Mouth Guards

sb10067337ae-001Whether you play golf or ice hockey, it’s important to stay protected. Contact sports tend to be a bit riskier, but even non-contact sports can create problems for you and your dentist. Wearing a mouth guard can help you keep your oral health in top shape and refrain from injuring other athletes, and it can even help with teeth clenching. Here is more on why athletes should wear mouth guards.
Maintain Your Oral Health
Being dedicated to your sport of choice can be great for your health and mental state, but you shouldn’t lose track of your oral health. Wearing a mouth guard can help you protect your dental health from accidents that might occur on the field, court, or ice. A sudden body check can cause you to bite your lip or crack a tooth, which in some cases may warrant a trip to the emergency dentist. Your mouth guard can keep your teeth, gums, and lips protected from this type of impact.
Protect Other Athletes
It is important to remember that everyone else participating in the sport is just as susceptible as you are to dental health problems. It is particularly important to realize that you can accidentally injure another athlete without a mouth guard. You might find yourself in a collision with another player that forces your teeth to come into contact with his or her skin; this can be harmful to both people involved, but a mouth guard can limit the damage.
Address Teeth Clenching
Certain stressors can cause you to clench your teeth, which can be harmful to your oral health. Many athletes experience this sensation during a close or particularly important game. Your mouth guard can protect your teeth from this clenching and the headaches that often come with it.
If you are an athlete and you don’t already have a mouth guard, call John Carson, DDS at (520) 514-7203. Dr. Carson also offers dental crowns, teeth whitening, and other Tucson cosmetic dentistry services. Feel free to visit our website or stop by the office to find out how we can help.