Posted by WAYNE H. MORI on Aug 17 2021, 09:33 PM
As per the American Dental Association, about 10-20% of the injuries caused by contact sports are maxillofacial injuries. This type of injury includes facial trauma and jaw fractures. A mouthguard can protect your teeth from impact when playing contact sports.
Consult Dr. Wayne Mori, the Portland, OR, dentist, regarding mouthguards as he has a lot of experience in providing preventive care. Let’s find out how a mouthguard can benefit you.
A mouthguard is a protective dental device that is placed over your gums and teeth. It is highly recommended you wear one while playing contact sports like basketball, boxing, football, ice hockey, etc.
Mouthguards protect:
Mouthguards prevent more than 200,000 oral injuries each year, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). Wearing a mouthguard protects your teeth from chipping or breaking completely.
According to the National Youth Sports Foundation, one-third of all dental injuries are sports-related. The possibility of orofacial injury per athlete per season is as high as 10%, or 35% to 56% during their active career.
Orofacial injuries can be explained as injuries to the hard and soft tissues in your mouth and on your face. A mouthguard helps by protecting your lips, tongue, and cheeks.
Contact sports can hurt more than your teeth. In some instances, your lower jaw could jam into the upper jaw. A fitted mouthguard can help prevent a fractured jaw, cerebral hemorrhage, concussion, and neck injuries.
Stock mouthguards are preformed and ready-to-wear mouthguards made of rubber or polyvinyl. They can be purchased at any drugstore. However, their fit is not always the best.
Custom mouthguards, like the ones we offer at Wayne H. Mori, DMD, Portland, OR, offers a better fit and more protection than ready-to-wear mouthguards. They are created by taking impressions of your teeth.
These mouthguards are made from thermoplastic material. When placed in hot water, they soften, allowing athletes to reshape them to their liking. These, like stock mouthguards, are supplied as ready-to-wear and are reasonably priced.
If you need advice on what type of mouthguard is most suitable for you, talk to Dr. Wayne H. Mori. Book an appointment online, call us at (503) 230-881, or visit the office at 700 NE Multnomah, St Suite 850, Portland, OR 97232.f
