919-682-5327 If you ever watch professional sports, you’ve seen athletes playing with their mouthguards. It makes sense that professional athletes need a mouthguard, but are they necessary for an average weekend warrior?
Well, it depends on what you’re doing, and the risk presented to your teeth. Today, we’ll look at moments when you’ll need a mouthguard, and which type will be the best fit for you – no pun intended.
When you need one
Any contact sport, like basketball, football, hockey, rugby, or soccer, has moments when you really can’t afford to not have a mouthguard. Often, a dentist will see knocked-out, cracked, or chipped teeth as a result of not wearing a mouthguard during these sports.
Additionally, if you participate in any other sports or activities where there’s a risk to your teeth getting damaged, Dr. Alex Fleming strongly recommends you get a mouthguard.
What type should I get?
When you realize you need a mouthguard, you have a lot of options from which to choose. Popular ones include the “boil and bite” products you can buy at most sporting goods stores. These are good in a pinch, but you’ll see the best results if you come into our office at Fleming Dental in Durham, North Carolina, and get fitted for a custom mouthguard.
This ensures that your guard is made to protect your mouth specifically, and not mass-produced to match a wide range of possible mouth sizes. A custom mouthguard is much more comfortable as well. We’ll take the time to make sure it fits as seamlessly as possible in your mouth.
If you have other questions or want to schedule an appointment, call us today at 919-682-5327.