Wear a mouthguard at play to keep the injuries away...

 

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Sporting accidents are one of the most common causes of avoidable dental injury. People of all ages, who are involved in sports where there is a risk of contact to the face, should protect their teeth with a properly fitted mouthguard. The mouthgurard simply acts as a “shock absorber” and acts to prevent or at the very least minimise risk of damaged or  dislodged teeth, broken jaws and cut lips.


A custom fitted mouthguard also protects the hip pocket from a sizeable expense, and minimises time off school or work spent seeking treatment and recovering. Not to mention the pain and disfigurement endured during the recovery from the injury. The cost of an injury to your teeth or jaw far exceeds the cost of a custom-fitted mouthguard.


Over-the-counter mouthguards provide inadequate protection against dental injuries. Every mouth is different and the one size fits all approach does not work well with teeth. So investing in a custom-fitted mouthguard is worthwhile. This needs to be assessed by your dentist at least once a year to ensure it still fits correctly. You may need a replacement if new permanent teeth have come through or if the mouthguard has been damaged.
Keep your mouthguard clean and store it in a rigid container, away from any hear source to ensure it maintains its shape. Rinse it under running cold water after every use. Do not leave it in the glove box of the car or in direct sunlight as it will distort in high temperatures.