7 Reasons Athletes in Long Beach Should Wear a Mouth Guard

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By Long Beach Dental Health

You probably think of helmets, pads, and other equipment when it comes to protecting your body while participating in sports. What about your teeth, though? A mouth guard is a basic yet necessary piece of gear that can help prevent expensive, painful dental injuries. Here are some reasons why Long Beach athletes should never take the field without one. 

1. Protects Against Tooth Damage

A mouth guard shields your teeth from chips, fractures, and even total breakage by acting as a cushion against the impact of physical activity. Whether you’re playing basketball, football, or soccer, a sudden collision can seriously harm your teeth. Wearing a mouth guard can reduce the likelihood of such injuries, allowing you to stay in the game without worrying about dental damage. 

2. Reduces the Risk of Jaw Injuries

Your teeth are not the only things that require protection. Another frequent risk in contact sports is jaw injuries, especially when players are struck in the face. Well-fitted mouth guards in Long Beach help reduce the risk of jaw fractures or dislocations by dispersing impact forces. Additionally, it may help shield the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which regulates jaw movement from harm. 

3. Prevents Soft Tissue Injuries

Sports accidents happen quickly, and when you’re moving quickly, it’s easy to bite your lip, cheek, or gums by accident. You can prevent cuts and bruises to your soft tissues by using a mouth guard. Your inner cheeks and gums are protected from being ripped or bruised during contact by the mouth guard’s cushioning effect. 

4.​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Enhances Breathing and Comfort

Can a mouth guard improve your breathing during an intense physical workout? Absolutely! Modern mouth guards in Long Beach are made to fit comfortably and facilitate easy breathing. Such a device can be a valuable source of oxygen for athletes who rely on stamina, such as runners or swimmers. Besides, with a properly fitted mouth guard, you don’t have to experience discomfort and breathing difficulties as distractions to your performance.

5. Minimizes Risk of Concussions

Besides protecting your teeth from breaking, a mouth guard can help minimize the risk of a concussion. Research has demonstrated that wearing a well-fitted mouthguard can reduce the force of impact and, in turn, the severity of concussion. Although it cannot stop the occurrence of concussions completely, this device can be your first line of defense against brain injuries.

6. Custom-Fit for Better Protection

The right mouth guard has been custom-fitted to your mouth, offering the best possible protection compared to store-bought models. A dentist can make an impression of your teeth to create a mouth guard that fits your teeth perfectly, thus providing you with the utmost comfort and safety. Custom mouth guards are made in such a way that they can still be in your mouth even when a high-impact activity is going on. Therefore, they are the most dependable type of mouth guards for athletes who are serious about their ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌sports.

7.​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Protects Against Teeth Grinding

In certain sports, intense physical exertion can cause teeth grinding, which often occurs during stress. Athletes may grind their teeth without realizing it during a game; thus, the wear down of their enamel, the emergence of jaw pain, and tooth fractures might be the consequences of this habit. Choosing mouth guards in Long Beach can be very helpful in this case, as they provide a cushion between your upper and lower teeth, thereby reducing pressure on your jaw.

Take Charge of Your Dental Health Today With Our Mouth Guard

Wearing a mouth guard should be an absolute must for any athlete. It is an effective solution that can protect your teeth, jaw, and the soft tissues of your mouth from serious injuries. Regardless of whether you are into contact sports, training, or competing under high-stakes conditions, a mouth guard will let you feel safe. Long Beach Dental Health is where we can help you get the perfect mouth guard for your needs and keep your smile safe and healthy. Don’t let time slip away—make an appointment right ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌now!

FAQs​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ 

1. Why Athletes Need to Wear Mouth Guards?

A benefit of a mouth guard is that it protects against dental damage, loss, and other injuries, bruises, and cuts to the soft tissues, which often occur in the face while playing a sport. So, mouth guards are very effective in preventing severe dental trauma.

2. Is It True That Mouth Guards Can Help limit concussions?

While it is not full protection, mouth guards can help reduce the severity of head injuries and concussions by absorbing impact energy.

3. Are Custom Mouth Guards More Effective Than Over-The-Counter Ones?

Absolutely. Custom-fitted mouth guards provide the best protection, maximum comfort, and an excellent fit; thus, they are more effective than stock models.

4. In What Way Does a Mouth Guard Facilitate Breathing?

A mouth guard enables free breathing and offers much more comfort, especially during intensive physical exertion; thus, athletes can breathe easily.

5. Is It Possible That Wearing a Mouth Guard Could Help to Stop Teeth Grinding?

Indeed, a mouth guard will prevent your teeth from grinding by creating a barrier between them, thereby relieving pressure on your jaw.

6. What Is The Lifespan of Mouth Guards?

Mouth guards may be used for one to three years, depending on usage frequency and the extent of wear and tear.

7. Is It Possible for Me to Wear My Mouth Guard in Any Sport?

Mouth guards are protective devices that are useful in any sport where the risk of impact or collision is present. Some of these sports are football, basketball, soccer, and ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌hockey.

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