The Importance of Wearing a Mouthguard

Are you concerned about maintaining proper dental care in San Jose? If you’re an athlete or often engage in sports, you may not be aware that failing to wear a mouthguard can put you at risk for injury. Mouthguards protect against numerous dental, oral, and head injuries that are common in both contact and incidental contact sports. In other words, wearing this simple piece of plastic can protect your head from concussions and prevent the need for dental implants. Keep reading to learn more about the importance of wearing a mouthguard.

Prevent Sports-Related Injuries

Mouthguards are required in certain collision sports, including football, hockey, and boxing, for very good reason. Athletes who participate in these sports are at a high risk for injury to the mouth, face, and head. However, incidental contact sports, such as basketball, baseball, and soccer also pose a risk for injury. Mouthguards are usually not required in incidental contact sports. However, it is highly recommended that all athletes wear a mouthguard to prevent injuries.

Protect Your Teeth

Mouthguards protect your teeth against impact. Being elbowed in the face or hit with a ball could otherwise cause dental injuries such as chipped or broken teeth. The consequences of these injuries can often only be resolved through cosmetic dentistry, such as veneers, or dental implants. In addition, injuries on the field or court can ruin your current dental work. It is not uncommon for an athlete to fracture crowns or bridgework by participating in high-impact sports. Protect your teeth and save yourself the trouble of undergoing extra dental work in the future by wearing a mouthguard when you play sports.

Protect Your Head

Mouthguards don’t just protect the teeth from injury. They also protect the lips, cheeks, jaws, and head. It is not uncommon for athletes to suffer from fractured jaws and concussions when they do not wear mouth guards. You wouldn’t go out on the field as a baseball or football player without your helmet, would you? Consider your mouthguard to be an equally important piece of equipment for protecting your head and face from injury.