Why Mouthguards Are Essential for Athletes
As strong as your teeth are, they weren’t designed to tough out the impact of many activities, especially contact sports. Indeed, if you followed this year’s Winter Olympics you may have spotted a few mouthguards saving the day!
Sometimes referred to as a gumshield, sports guard, or mouth protector, a mouthguard is worn during athletic performances and training to protect the teeth and surrounding gum tissue. The purpose is to reduce the overall likelihood of injury to the teeth, jaws, gums, and lips.
Athletic Mouth Guards: Not Just For Contact Sports
Here at The Lowe Centre, we are proud, authorized providers of Under Armour Mouth Guards. Many people associate athletic mouthguards with contact sports like boxing or hockey. But did you know that mouth guards are also used by other athletes, like runners and tennis players?
While trauma to the oral cavity is far less likely in these no-contact sports, the combination of activity, equipment and terrain still leave these athletes vulnerable to similar injuries.
And this is why we offer custom fitted Under Armour Mouth Guards for non-contact and contact sports alike. Our goal is to always provide the optimal level of protection, tailored to fit our patient’s unique needs and lifestyle.
Improve Overall Athletic Performance with Mouth Guards
A custom-fitted Under Armour Mouth Guard can help to improve an athlete’s overall athletic performance. Microseconds can mean everything in athletic activities, especially in competitive sports. When an athlete is wearing proper protective gear, they have the extra reassurance that they can throw their full force into their performance to optimize outcomes.
With a custom mouthguard it can be possible to improve athletic strength and endurance. The extra confidence that comes from knowing they are protected can positively impact an athlete’s reaction times. And this can mean the difference between first and second place!
How Do Mouth Guards Work?
Typically worn on the upper arch, mouthguards work by separating the upper and lower teeth. Surrounding soft tissues are safeguarded against the teeth, which can cause massive trauma to the oral cavity during shocks and collisions. When an athlete is bracing themselves for impact, biting on the mouthguard absorbs and redistributes the shock of impact.
What are the Benefits of Wearing a Mouthguard?
Ultimately, mouthguards are an excellent preventative measure for most athletes. When compared with the cost of emergency dentistry, a custom mouthguard is a sound investment that will help to:
- Prevent major traumas like chipped, cracked or knocked-out teeth
- Improve airflow and breathing during exertion and impact
- Relieve pressure on the TMJ
- Reduce the release of cortisol and other stress hormones
- Boost performance through confidence and protection
- Avoid expensive emergency dentistry
If you’re looking to safeguard and intensify your athletic performance or workouts, we strongly recommend investing in a good custom-fitted mouthguard. The process takes less than half an hour and you’re good to go!
Dr. Ed Lowe
The Lowe Centre for Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry