Whether you're playing or practicing on the field, you will eventually get hit hard. While rugby is all about quick thinking, team spirit, and maneuvering tackles, one thing that you need to ensure is your dental safety. So, how can you pull your smashing moves on the field while protecting your radiant smile?
If you are playing a rugby tournament or are a rookie, here is a comprehensive guide to help you make a well-informed choice for choosing the right mouth guard for rugby in New Zealand. Because you deserve extra special treatment too!
Why a Mouth Guard is a Must for Rugby
A durable mouth guard is crucial for safely playing rugby. It not only safeguards your teeth but also protects your gums and jaw from heavy-impact injuries. Without a mouth guard, you are open to dental trauma injuries ranging from dislodged teeth, jaw fractures, busted lips, and dental trauma. Believe us, you don’t want a trip to the dentist before your match.
According to a research study by the ADA (Australian Dental Association), “using mouth guards in rugby had significantly reduced the impact of dental injury complications.” Now that we have your attention regarding why a mouth guard is essential, let’s discover the various varieties you can choose from.
Mouth Guard Options: Which Is Best For You?
In the case of sports mouth guards, you have three categories: stock (generic), boil-and-bite (premade), and custom-fit (tailored). Each type has its own set of advantages and drawbacks, so let’s explore them.
Stock (Over the Counter) Type
Cost: $5 to $20
Generic or stock mouth guards are premade, readily available, and offer limited protection. While they are super cheap and easy to obtain, they don’t provide ideal dental impact protection or comfort. These are entry-level and might be a quick fix but not ideal for rugby professionals.
What You’ll Like
- Very affordable and easily available.
- Ideal quick-fix solution if you need a mouth guard immediately.
What You Need to Consider
- It does not offer an ideal fit, as these can become irritating, uncomfortable, and heavy.
- Lower protection and are more likely to slip during the game.
Recommendation: If you are a professional or only play rugby from time to time, a stock-type mouth guard is a no-brainer. However, if you wish to play more intense rugby sports sessions, you need to upgrade.
Boil and Bite Type
Cost: $20 — $60
Are you not ready to spend on a custom mouth guard? A boil-and-bite type mouth guard might be just the thing, and it’s very popular with rugby professionals.
Simply place your mouth guard into hot water to create ideal softness, then let it cool and bite down on it to create your unique impression. This provides slightly better impact protection with improved fitting without a hefty price tag.
What You’ll Like
- Readily available from major stores or online providers and affordable as well.
- Better custom fitting in comparison to generic variety with lower costs.
- Provides improved protection for most rugby players.
What You Need to Consider
- Not as durable as a custom-type mouth guard (can easily wear out after 2 to 3 months).
- Might not provide an ideal snug fit, and you might need to remold it more frequently.
Heads-up: If you are an active rugby player but not ready to invest in a custom mouth guard, then a boil-and-bite option is an ideal solution that provides you superior protection without breaking the bank.
Custom Type
Cost: $200 to $400
If you want to enjoy the best protection for rugby, then a custom mouth guard is recommended. Your preferred dentist or mouth guard supplier will obtain your dental impressions and create a mouth guard tailored to your unique bite. Providing you the best protection, durability, and comfort.
What You Like
- Offers tailored fit so there is no chance of shifting or slippage during intense sports sessions.
- Provides the best possible protection against dental trauma.
- Comfortable wear and enhanced breathability without getting in the way of communication.
What You Need to Consider
- It’s less expensive than other mouth guard options, but it’s a valuable investment for safety!
- These might require a visit to the dentist, or you might need to provide dental impressions, so it’s not as quick as getting a generic mouth guard.
Pro Tip: If you are quite active in rugby tournaments and regularly train, then a higher cost doesn’t matter since a custom variety mouth guard is ideal. It will guard your teeth for many upcoming sports seasons.
What Key Points to Consider in a Mouth Guard
Now that you understand the various types of mouth guards, what key points should you consider when choosing your ideal rugby mouth guard?
Perfect Fit
Your rugby mouth guard should provide a tailored fit. It should not be very loose, which will reduce its protection. A mouth guard should be comfortable to enhance airflow and allow you to communicate without issues. Custom and boil and bite mouth guards provide ideal fit and comfort suitable for many rugby players.
Decent Protection
All mouth guards are crafted equally and provide a high level of protection from dental trauma. High-impact ruby professions need sturdier and thicker mouth guards that can handle heavy blows. Tailor-made mouth guards also offer protection against jaw fractures, so always choose the best option according to your needs.
Enhanced Durability
Rugby is a serious and risky sport; you will need to secure quality mouth guards that can handle serious hits. Consider premium-quality materials (BPA-free) that can handle the wear and tear of frequent rugby play sessions. A high-quality mouth guard should be enough for an entire rugby season.
Enhanced Breathability
One of the major factors to consider is how well you breathe on the sports field. If a mouth guard is very bulky, it will reduce airflow, making it difficult for you to communicate with other players or reduce performance. Always choose a sports mouth guard that does not obstruct breathability, especially when playing sports like rugby.
Mouth Guard Maintenance Tips
Received your ideal mouth guard? Excellent! But your work doesn’t end there. To keep a mouth guard in excellent condition, follow these recommendations.
Clean Your Mouth Guard: You need to clean or rinse your sports mouth guard with mouthwash, mild soap, or water with a soft toothbrush to maintain its freshness.
Store Your Mouth Guard: Don’t simply toss your mouth guard in any bag! Keep it secure from damage and bacteria by placing it in a secure and ventilated storage case.
Regularly Check Mouth Guard for Damage: You need to carefully inspect your sports mouth guard every day for any sign of wear and tear or cracks. If you find any damage, then you should replace it immediately.
SmilePath: Your Perfect Rugby Partner
Selecting the right rugby mouth guards is critical for ensuring your safety on the field. Whether you’re playing with friends or participating in a professional match, the ideal mouth guards, such as those offered by SmilePath, will help you keep focus on your game.
So, what are you going to select? A custom-tailored sports mouth guard, a boil & bite, or a stock type? While each has different values associated with them, and it all depends on which one you prefer, at the end of the day, your precious teeth will thank you for valuing safety.
FAQs
A sports mouth guard is an orthodontic device that is designed to reduce the chances of dental injuries such as a fractured jaw, chipped teeth, and dental traumas.
A custom-fit mouth guard crafted for your unique dental structure is the most ideal choice. It will provide less irritation due to premium materials (BPA-free), more comfort, and durability in the long run.
You can easily obtain your custom mouth guard from your local dentist or order them at home through SmilePath.
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