If you happen to play any kind of sport, or even if you’re just physically active, you’ll likely have picked up some form of injuries or another at some point in the past. In sport, especially combat sports, injuries can occur at any time, for any number of reasons, yet blows to the face are certainly some of the most common causes of dental injury and even dental trauma. This is why wearing a mouthguard is so important when playing sports.
Contact sports such as rugby, boxing, and football can be dangerous, especially as so many injuries that occur in the sport impact the orofacial region. Mouthguard material is made from strong and durable materials and is designed to be worn in the mouth to provide a protective layer over the upper teeth. Not only can they prevent damage to the teeth, they can also prevent the teeth from damaging the soft tissues in your mouth.
As awesome as football mouthguard custom crafted products can be, it’s hard to find a high quality sports mouthguard, which is what we’re looking at today. Here’s a look at how to make the right choice on mouthguards for your chosen sports or activity.
One of the most important factors to take into consideration when selecting a sports mouthguard, is the sport you’ll be using it in.
Different sports will of course have different levels of impact, and this should be reflected in your mouthguard. In terms of how to choose a mouthguard for boxing for example, you’ll need to look for a stronger, sturdier, more durable mouthguard than you would for, say, basketball. Avoid using poor quality mouthguards like stock mouthguards brought from a store which might cause you injuries during sports.
A football mouthguard custom made can be great, as you can have it made specifically for your mouth, and have it designed to stay in place during the sport, while also offering protection when needed.
If you take part in a very hard-hitting, physically demanding sport such as boxing, a full coverage custom crafted mouthguard is recommended. For less physically demanding and less intense sports however, a stock boil and bite mouthguard will be sufficient for the short-term.
In terms of how to choose the right mouthguards for your chosen sports, comfort to your teeth is so important.
Of course we recommend that you go with a custom crafted, high quality, high impact mouthguard from a reputable company, but it’s important to ensure that it fits right and feels comfortable on your teeth whilst you’re wearing it.
Your mouthguard should sit comfortably over your teeth in your mouth, and should not interfere with your speech or your breathing.
Ideally you should go with a custom-fit or a 3D-printed mouthguard as this will not only provide a better, more comfortable fit to your teeth, it will also offer more protection for your teeth and mouth from injuries.
As a last resort or a short-term fix, stock or boil and bite mouthguards can be worn, and are generally better than nothing. They aren’t a long-term solution however and they likely won’t stay in place, feel comfortable, or offer as much protection as 3D-printed or custom-made mouthguards.
If you’re looking for the best mouthguard for football, or any other sports, you must ensure you go with a mouthguard that is safe and fully certified.
Certified mouthguards are subject to rigorous and very stringent testing to ensure that they meet a very specific set of safety criteria. Only once they do, will they be deemed safe and suitable to be used by the general public during sports and physical exertion.
One of the easiest ways of checking that your mouthguard is indeed safe and certified, is to have your dentist check it over on your next dental appointment. If it isn’t, your dentist can either recommend a reputable brand instead, or alternatively, can make you a custom mouthguard that is fitting your mouth in the lab.
Avoid mouthguards that feel uncomfortable or don’t stay in place, and avoid ones that appear to damage easily, or that feel weak and flimsy.
As far as how to choose the right mouthguards is concerned, once you find a reputable and comfortable mouthguard, make sure you take care of it. If you look after your mouthguard, your mouthguard will look after you.
A few tips designed to help you care for and maintain your mouthguard include:
As well as caring for your mouthguard, you should also know when to replace it. Examine it regularly and look for signs of damage and general wear and tear.
Ideally you should replace your mouthguard every six months, or when the season for your chosen sports comes to an end. Be sure to have tested your replacement football mouth guard custom crafted product a few times in advance, before the new season starts, just to make sure you’re used to how it feels.
So, as far as how to decide the best mouthguards for your chosen sports or activity, hopefully now you’re a great deal more confident when it comes to finding the best mouthguard for football, or any sports for that matter.
Mouthguards not only need to be comfortable, they also need to fit perfectly and offer maximum orofacial protection when in use. Remember, each sport is different and subsequently different mouthguards may be needed.
The best thing you can do if you are on the hunt for a new mouthguard is speak to your dentist. A dental professional can recommend specific products based upon your dental and sporting needs, and they can guarantee a perfect, custom fit every single time.
