Importance of Wearing Mouth Guards When Playing Sports

Now that the new school year has begun, Dr. Garai and his team at your leading Vienna & Great Falls, VA orthodontist practice would like to remind our school-aged patients and their parents of how important it is that mouth guards be worn when playing sports.

A mouth guard is an extremely important piece of sports equipment that should be worn while playing all sorts of sports including football, soccer, basketball, hockey, gymnastics, skateboarding and when partaking in any activity that poses a risk of injury to the face or mouth. While some people don't think a mouth guard is necessary if you're wearing braces, people wearing braces whenever they’re practicing or playing regulation sports of all types should always wear a mouth guard. A mouth guard can not only protect your lips, tongue, cheeks and teeth from injury but it can provide protection to your braces' brackets and wires.

Why Mouth Guards are So Important

A mouth guard protects the teeth, lips, cheeks and tongue from injury because it acts as a cushion that redistributes the force of a blow to the face. It also serves as a barrier between your teeth and soft tissues of the mouth. It has been reported by the National Youth Sports Foundation for Safety that:

• Dental injuries are the most common type of orofacial injuries sustained during sports participation.
• An athlete is 60 times more likely to sustain damage to the mouth when not wearing a protective mouth guard.

Sometimes these injuries are so serious that they result in permanent damage to oral structures, which require costly, extensive medical intervention.

Choosing a Mouth Guard

There are three main types of protective mouth guards: the ready-made or stock mouth guards, boil and bite mouth guards and custom-made mouth guards provided by our Vienna, VA orthodontist. While these mouth guards vary in price and comfort level, all provide some protection. The American Dental Association states that the most effective mouth guard should be:

• Comfortable
• Tear-resistant
• Resilient It should
• Durable
• Easy to keep clean
• Should not impede your breathing

If you don't want to obtain a custom made mouth guard from our Vienna orthodontist Dr. Allen Garai, you should know that today there are special, affordable mouth guards on the market that are made especially for people who wear braces. You can find these mouth guards for sale either at a local pharmacy or online as many retail sites sell them.

Dr. Garai and his staff put our patient's health, welfare and safety first. That is why we're reminding students and their parents that wearing a mouth guard while being active is of the utmost importance. If you have any questions about protective mouth guards, don't hesitate to give our Great Falls and Vienna, VA orthodontic offices a call. We're always happy to speak with you and to answer any questions you may have!