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If you are an athlete, being conscious of your dental health is quite natural, especially when involved in high-paced sports such as basketball. This is why wearing dental gear is essential, as it provides you with the protection you need without any distractions.
A sports activity such as basketball has higher chances of collision and physical contact with an increased rate of injuries. For this purpose, a basketball player must wear a mouthguard to prevent dental mishaps. In this blog, we will explore the purpose and advantages of a mouthguard during a sports activity.
What is a Mouthguard?
A mouthguard is a protective dental device placed inside your mouth to protect your teeth, gums, and tongue. Made up of FDA-approved material, the mouthguard acts as a cushion, absorbing any pressure exerted on your jaw. This is why, every athlete needs to wear a mouthguard to avoid any dental damage when playing.
Different Types of Mouthguards
With a wide range of selections available to choose from, users can decide the type of mouthguard that suits them best. Based on varying requirements and functionality, here are some of the offerings available in the market right now:
Stock Mouthguard
Considered to be the least expensive amongst all the other variations of mouthguards, stock mouthguards are pre-made and therefore available in free sizes. Which is why they offer less protection. Since they are not perfect for your smile, they demand frequent repositioning during the game. Hence, you may get distracted during your game.
Boil and Bite
As the name suggests, they are based on the phenomenon of boiling the thermoplastic material. This is done to make it softer, and later it is adjusted with your tongue and teeth. Give it some time to settle, and they’ll be ready. They provide more protection as compared to the stock mouthguard.
Customized Mouthguard
This type of mouthguard is customized according to the size of your smile to provide a perfect fit. Since these are customized, they do not disturb your teeth and gums and offer enhanced protection. As compared to the other options, this is the most expensive one but is also best-suitable for basketball athletes. Wear a custom mouthguard to play your game without the fear of hurting your smile.
Advantages of Basketball Mouthguard
The following are some advantages a mouthguard offers you while you are playing your game:
Protection Against Injuries
A slight collision can cause severe dental injury, such as a broken tooth or a jaw problem. Wearing a mouthguard safeguards your smile and protects against orofacial injuries.
Avoids Concussion
A concussion is a dental term that refers to skull or head injuries. While you are playing, a severe blow to your jaws can further lead to damage to your head. To prevent concussion, wear a mouthguard that makes sure no force disturbs your maintained oral health.
Prevents Soft Tissue Damage
A mouthguard plays a crucial role in safeguarding the soft tissues in the mouth, such as the tongue, lips, or cheeks. They might get damaged by a hard blow on your face. But sometimes, in the heat of the game, an athlete can bite the lips or tongue, further developing wounds and difficulty in speech. Hence, a mouthguard keeps your lips, jaws, and tongue in place, preventing their damage.
How to Choose a Perfect Mouthguard
If you are an athlete, you may find it difficult to choose the best mouthguard for yourself. If so, the following are some important factors you need to consider while choosing dental gear:
Perfect Fit
A mouthguard that is too tight or too loose can irritate your gums, which can distract you during your game. A basketball athlete should opt for a dental product that offers a snuggle fit to the teeth, allowing proper breathing and talking.
Material
Make sure the product you choose is durable and made up of shock-resistant BPA-free material. It should be strong enough to resist any shock paced on your smile, hence providing enhanced protection.
Easy To Clean
Choose a dental product that is easy to clean and maintain. It must be made up of a material that is easy to clean and avoids bad odor.
How To Keep Your Mouthguard Safe?
When it comes to protecting your smile, hygiene is an important factor to be considered. The following steps must be taken into notice to clean your dental product:
Rinse With Water
Since a mouthguard is kept inside your mouth for a longer period, it needs to be hygienic. To do so, make sure you rinse it with water to remove any germs present on it and then place it in your mouth. This step should also be repeated once you take the mouthguard off your mouth to prepare it for the next use.
Avoid Biting Your Guards
If you are an athlete, you might notice that you keep chewing your mouthguard while playing. Do not develop a habit, as frequently biting may damage your product, providing less protection to your smile.
Brushing
A mouthguard can get a bad smell as it stays in your mouth. To avoid this, try cleaning it with the help of a soft-bristled toothbrush gently for improved dental health and hygiene.
Keep it in a Case
When you take off your mouthguard, not keeping it on a clean surface may have a bad impact on your oral health. Hence, to avoid germ contact, make sure you keep it safe in a plastic case, which also prevents losing your dental gear.
Ordering Mouthguard From Smilepath
Smilepath keeps in view all your requirements and offers comfortable and convenient dental products. It is customized according to the size of the mouth using your dental impressions. The following steps will help you order your customized basketball mouthguards:
1. We will deliver an impression kit to you after you make an order.
2. The kit comes with all the instructions that help you generate your dental impressions. Once it is done, send the impressions back to us.
3. Using these, our team will create a mouthguard for you. Wear it while playing and protect your smile from getting hurt.
Furthermore, the dental product comes along with a protective case and offers free shipping.
To sum it up, being involved in a severe sport such as basketball, an athlete must wear a mouthguard. Whatever happens, your dental health must not be compromised. During a sports activity, a slight push or force can lead to bigger dental issues such as broken teeth, an injured jaw, or concussions. Therefore, wearing a mouthguard to safeguard your smile is extremely important.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a mouthguard?
A mouthguard is a dental gear that is used by athletes to prevent any orofacial injury. They act as a cushion and resist any shock or push placed on your mouth. To safeguard your perfect smile while you are playing, make sure you wear a mouthguard.
2. How often should I replace my mouthguard?
A mouthguard must be replaced annually for hygienic purposes. Some athletes have a habit of chewing or biting their mouthguards which tears the product providing less protection. Under such conditions, your mouthguard should be replaced as well.
3. Can I wear my mouthguard with braces on?
Since mouthguards are customized according to the size of your mouth, it is convenient to wear a mouthguard with braces as well.
4. How often should I clean my mouthguards?
You need to clean your dental product daily to avoid germs in contact with your mouth. A clean dental product means improved dental hygiene.
5. How accurate is the mouthguard customization?
Mouthguards are customized according to the dental impressions of a person. Keeping them in view we customize your mouthguards that are perfect for your smile and offer increased protection.
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