Roughly 5 million teeth a year are lost every year while playing sports, costing athletes millions in dental fees. As helpful as protective gear like helmets, pads, and the right shoes can be when playing sports, protecting your teeth is just as important.
Sports guards are incredible pieces of gear designed to protect the teeth and jaw from impact during contact and hands-on sports like football, boxing, and, of course, hockey! Because they play such an important role in preventing dental injuries, the type of sports guard you wear shouldn’t be taken lightly. Most dental professionals highly recommend custom sports guards or mouth guards for maximum protection during most sports. But is it worth spending more money on a custom sports guard instead of buying a premade one from the store? In short, yes. And here’s why:
Why should I buy a custom sports guard instead of a premade mouthguard?
The first and most obvious reason a custom sports guard is better than a premade mouthguard is that it’s custom-fit to your teeth and jaw. While boil-and-bite mouthguards may be more comfortable than other types, nothing beats a custom-made guard. Custom mouthguards for sports are specially designed to accommodate the needs of the person wearing them. They’re created with your age, type of sport, dental history, and existing conditions (if any) in mind. This ensures a fit that’s so perfect you barely notice you’re wearing your guard, something anyone who’s worn an off-the-shelf mouthguard is sure to appreciate.
A better fit also means you avoid the most common reasons people hate mouthguards, such as difficulty speaking and breathing. More importantly, custom mouthguards for sports offer the maximum safety and protection possible. Let’s take a closer look at a few additional benefits you get when opting for a custom sports guard.
Benefits to Custom Sports Guards
Some of the main benefits of wearing a custom sports guard include:
Comfort
The comfort offered by custom sports guards is simply incomparable to off-the-shelf mouthguards. Unlike conventional mouthguards, custom sports guards are created from an impression of your mouth, and your mouth alone. This means that there’s no unnecessary or extra material taking up space and you won’t have to keep your mouth closed at all times to hold it in place. Naturally, this makes things like breathing and speaking while wearing your guard much easier. This added comfort is especially important for children and decreases the chances of them “forgetting” to wear their mouthguard during practice.
Better Fit
While boil-and-bite mouthguards may fit a little better than pre-formed guards, nothing beats the fit of a custom sports guard. What’s more, since they’re designed with you in mind, custom mouthguards for sports will also fit around and protect any braces, dentures, or dental implants you wear.
Better Protection
Unlike pre-formed mouthguards, custom sports mouthguards are designed to cover and protect all of your teeth and mouth. Because they’re specially-fitted to the shape of your mouth, custom sports guards also ensure any impact is properly absorbed and distributed. The protection offered by custom sports guards also extends to any dental appliances you may be wearing, including dentures and dental implants.
Get Custom Sports Guards in Calgary
Whether you’re looking for dentures, dental implants, or custom mouthguards for sports, every service at Hillhurst Denture Clinic is customized to your needs. Our professional denturist works with you to find the best solution to preserve your smile and maintain your quality of life. Contact us today to book your free consultation.
