Prevention is always better
Dental injuries can often be prevented by people wearing a mouthguard whilst participating in any sport where there is a reasonable risk of a knock to the face.
Generic one size fits all mouth guards can be purchased from a local chemist but these tend to be poorly fitting even after heating and moulding to the teeth. They tend to “drop out” of the mouth easily and can be very annoying and actually hinder sporting activity.
Custom made and fitted mouth guards are far superior to generic mouth guards. They afford much greater protection against damage to teeth as they are made from a mould of the person’s teeth and fit perfectly. In addition, they tend to be much more comfortable and they will stay in the mouth during sports activities.
Two appointments are needed to have a mouth guard custom fitted. The first to take the mould of the teeth and the second, typically about one week later, to make sure that the fit is perfect.
Typically, mouthguards which cover the upper teeth, cushion a blow to the face and minimize the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the soft tissues of the mouth.
Injuries such as a chipped or broken tooth, internal damage to a tooth, tooth loss, and in severe cases, a broken jaw or a concussion, can lead to long and potentially expensive treatment to restore the teeth and mouth back to normal function and appearance.
