The Park Practice - Dental Clinic

Sports Mouth Guards

Sports mouth guards, also commonly referred to as mouth guards or mouth protectors, are simple devices made with rubber that fit over the top row of teeth to protect your mouth from injury during any direct blows or collisions that may occur whilst playing sports.

Sports mouth guards are a critical piece of equipment for any athlete participating in a sport that involves direct body contact, fast-moving equipment, falls, trips or collisions.  

Unfortunately, mouth guards for sports are often overlooked. Although mouth guards for boxing and other combat sports are enforced, when it comes to a rugby mouth guard or a football mouth guard, coaches, referees, and players are far less likely to consider sports mouth guards as necessary, despite the high risk of contact and collision. 

 

Why is a sports mouth guard important?  

Every year, many athletes (both adults and children) are treated for dental injuries that could have been avoided, prevented or minimised by simply wearing a sports mouth guard. 

As a dental clinic that is experienced in dealing with dental trauma caused by sports injuries, The Park Practice Glasgow strongly recommends the use of a "custom mouth guard" over a "boil & bite mouth guard" in any sport or activity where collision (intended or accidental) is likely to occur.  

This is relevant for both games and training, as you never know when a serious collision can happen. In our expert experience, it’s always best to be prepared, and wearing a robust sports mouth guard is one of the best ways to protect your mouth and teeth from any potential damage.  

Often injuries in sports or other physical activities that do occur are those we didn’t foresee or even consider a danger. A head-on collision when going for the same ball or an unlikely crash against a goal post could cause significant dental trauma to the mouth and teeth. In some cases, these issues can stay with you throughout the rest of your life, and your teeth may never fully recover. For this reason, it’s always best to ‘play it safe’ and wear a sports mouth guard to protect your teeth. 

 

Who needs a sports mouth guard? 

Anyone who plays a sport or undertakes an activity where collision or contact to the face is a legitimate risk should wear a sports mouth guard.

Whilst combat sports are obvious, other sports such as rugby union and league, American football, hockey and boxing are ‘no brainers’, as intentional collision and contact are very much a part of the game. 

However, it is sports where accidental collisions occur that are often most responsible for dental trauma, such as football, cricket, basketball, netball, shinty and hurling. Unfortunately, wearing a sports mouth guard in these sports is rare and not enforced. Whilst these sports are considered ‘non-contact’, they carry the risk of accidental collision and collision with equipment. Over the years we have seen thousands of patients (adults and children) who we've treated for dental trauma due to injuries caused by non-contact sports.  

The simple but effective precaution of wearing a custom sports mouth guard could save you a great deal of pain and trouble down the road. Remember, you are at just as much risk during training as during the game! 

 

Why choose a dental mouth guard? 

A mouth guard provided by an experienced dental practice such as The Park Practice can be tailored specifically to fit the shape of your mouth. These custom mouth guards offer superior protection to your face, teeth, jaw and gums and come with the added benefit of being more comfortable than a standard-fitted sports mouth guard.  

A dental mouth guard from The Park Practice will use FDA approve material to help prevent concussion and dental trauma, whilst allowing for easy, natural breathing whilst training or playing sports.  

Our team at the Park Practice are highly experienced in sports dentistry, so if you would like to have a custom dental mouth guard made specifically for you, or you are in need of some treatment caused by a sporting accident, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us today.  

 

Sporting heroes that choose sports mouth guards  

We have some fantastic role models who wear custom dental sports mouth guards to help protect their teeth whilst playing professional sports, and The Park Practice have been lucky enough to work closely with several Scottish sports teams.  

As an Official Partner with Glasgow Warriors, The Park Practice was honoured to have made the whole rugby squad new sports mouth guards, providing full protection from any collisions that are bound to occur in a full-contact sport such as Rugby. Professional rugby players need new rugby mouth guards every season to ensure they are 100% effective for every one of their many fixtures. 

Kieron Achara, one of Scotland's greatest ever basketball players, has worn a dental mouth guard for several years now. Through his positive lead, The Park Practice has now made custom mouth guards for the whole Glasgow Rocks roster. As the first team in the British Basketball League to wear mouthguards, the Glasgow Rocks now enjoy full protection against accidental facial contact or head-on collisions. Let’s face it, no one, not even professional athletes, wants a basketball to the face without protection! If these lads are wearing them, don’t you think you should consider it too? 

For more information on our custom dental mouth guards, get in touch with our sports dentistry team today. 

Kieron Achara

 

What damage can happen without a sports mouth guard? 

Dental trauma from sporting injury can include damage to the tooth nerve, fractured, cracked, or knocked-out teeth, a broken jaw, damage to the tongue and burst/cut lips. It is not uncommon that a single case of dental trauma can lead to a lifetime of dental treatment. This is necessary to maintain the strength and health of the damaged tooth/teeth.  

A damaged tooth will often become a lifelong problem as repair work does not last forever. Hence our mantra is "Prevention is always better than the cure", so "play it safe and wear a sports mouth guard”. 

 

Custom mouth guards: What to expect?

If you're interested in getting yourself a custom mouth guard, then The Park Practice is on-hand to help you. Our process is simple, robust and effective. Our team is extremely experienced in working with sports mouth guards and sports dentistry, so you can rest assured that you’ll be in safe hands. 

The first step of the custom dental mouth guard process will involve your Park Practice dentist taking an impression and creating a plaster model of your teeth. The model will be used to accurately assess your mouth and design a uniquely fitted custom mouth guard specifically for you. Once fitted, we will provide guidance and advice on how you should care for the mouthguard properly. 

If your mouth guard is ever damaged during collision or contact, the custom mouth guard may need to be replaced if the quality of the fit has been affected. If you have new teeth since your mouthguard was first fitted, then again it may need to be replaced.  

For these reasons, we always ask you to make sure you have your custom mouth guard with you when attending regular check-ups. In this way, we can keep your sports mouth guard in top condition and ensure long-lasting protection for your teeth and mouth no matter what may happen out on the field.  

To get your custom mouth guard fitted, get in touch with us today. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have  

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0141 334 1211
enquiries@parkpracticehealth.co.uk

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0141 334 1211
enquiries@parkpracticehealth.co.uk
The Park Practice
61 Park Road
Glasgow
G4 9JE

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