Importance of Athletic Mouthguards

A single knocked-out tooth can lead to overall lifetime costs of $15,000 to $20,000 per tooth if the tooth is not properly preserved and treated. These costs do not count the hours of time spent in the dentist's office or potential complications that may be involved, including gum disease and future bone loss.

Athletes are at a uniquely high risk of tooth loss, but this risk can be mitigated with the use of an athletic mouth guard. Athletic mouth guards are one of the best ways to protect an athlete's mouth not just from tooth loss but also from jaw fracture, laceration, and even concussion.

The best mouth guards should fit properly and not interfere excessively with speaking or breathing, be comfortable to wear, resilient, and be virtually tasteless and odorless, as well as sufficiently thick in critical areas, all while protecting the user from harm during athletic events.

Several varieties of athletic mouth guards exists, from the least expensive and least protective stock mouth guards to boil-and-bite mouth guards, custom-made mouth guards, and pressure-laminated mouth guards. The American Dental Association estimates that as many as 200,000 injuries can be avoided every year in high school and college football when mouth guards are used appropriately.

Whether you are a full-time athlete or just a weekend warrior, a custom-made athletic mouth guard can help you avoid a costly dental emergency that may affect your oral health for the rest of your life. Ensure you are adequately protected by getting your mouth guard custom-made by our Torrance dentist.

Source: Dentist Torrance

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