It comes as no surprise to parents today that sports are some of the leading causes of tooth loss among kids and teenagers — if you’re a parent and you’ve seen how rough a high school hockey or wrestling game can get, you know what we’re talking about. But as often as people joke about the stereotypical hockey player or boxer losing a few teeth at once, many people forget that players in nearly every sport can risk losing teeth, either through direct contact with other players, through accidental contact with equipment, or simply from clenching the jaw too tightly (specifically with weight-lifting).
Many people also forget that the risk of tooth loss is precisely why so many sports leagues require or advise players to use moldable mouth guards which have been designed specifically with athletes in mind.
Although you can buy a plastic mouth guard at any sports equipment store, the benefits of having a custom mouth guard made by professional dentists or denturists could be the difference between having a healthy set of teeth, and having to get dentures or dental implants at a very young age (paying anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000 to treat a lost front tooth).
These custom mouth guards, which can be created for you at nearly any dental clinic that offers dental prosthesis services, are made to fit perfectly on your teeth. Although you still have to clench your jaw slightly in order to keep the mouth guard in place, custom mouth guards are often more comfortable and allow the wearer to breathe and speak clearly.
Depending on how often the mouth guard is used, the average professionally-molded custom mouth guard lasts for about two to three seasons of play; even if a mouth guard lasts longer, it’s always a good idea to have it refitted to fit the teeth and gums properly (because your teeth and gums constantly change shape, even when you don’t realize it).
Remember — when it comes to your teeth, there’s no such thing as being too careful! Continue your research here.
