The short answer is yes.
Contact sports carry a high risk of facial trauma and injuries. The effects on jaw development, facial aesthetics and daily functions can be devastating. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) recommends wearing sports mouthguards during training and competitions as they have been proven to be effective in preventing dental injuries. Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/edt.12925
Orofacial trauma can lead to lifelong challenges such as pain, teeth sensitivity, negative self-esteem and lengthy dental visits.
There are various different forms of sports mouthguards on the market.
- Stock mouthguards
- Thermoplastic mouthguards (boil and bite)
- Custom mouthguard
Read more about these in our blog post.
Stock mouthguards are pre-formed, standardised and can't be adjusted. It's the cheapest option and readily available at most pharmacies. They are often ill-fitting and dislodge easily.
Thermoplastic mouthguards are adapted to the dentition through heat. It is a cheap option and commonly used. For them to fit, they must be well-adapted and properly molded. Which also poses a challenge to people with braces.
Custom mouthguards are individually tailored appliances that provide the ideal fit and retention. They are the most protective and comfortable to wear.
At Radiance Dentistry, we use digital scanning to capture the most accurate details of your teeth, gums and lips to create the perfect fit. We also customise the level of protection required for individual sports.