Basketball players are more vulnerable to injury than most athletes. They wear little to no protective gear and engage in a high contact sport. Although the name of the game isn’t about dominating your opponent with physical size and strength, there are physical battles that happen consistently throughout each game. In fact, playing sports—not just basketball—put players at risk for damaging or losing their teeth. Customized mouthguards in Peabody can help protect athletes from accidental injuries. Dr. Spiro Saati can provide you a specially crafted mouthguard that fits your unique smile for maximum comfort, allowing you to perform your absolute best on or off the court.
How can a mouthguard protect your teeth?
Custom mouthguards are specialized devices that you wear over your teeth for protection against blows to the face and head. These are important pieces of athletic equipment for anyone participating in a sport that involves heavy bodily contact, falling, or equipment. If you or a loved one plays football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, gymnastics, skateboarding, or even cycling you may need to consider getting a mouthguard to keep your healthy teeth and gums safe. This is especially important if you have had prior dental work done or currently are undergoing dental treatments like traditional braces. Wearing a mouthguard with braces can save even your lips and cheeks from being injured from the combination of a hard impact and the unforgiving metal in your mouth.
Why should you get a custom mouthguard?
Considering getting a mouthguard is already a step in the right direction for your dental health, but it is important to weigh out your options. It may seem easier to just buy a “one size fits all” mouthguard from your local sports store, but customization has many advantages. Dr. Saati uses his expertise in preventive dentistry to make each guard highly-personalized. He can adjust the thickness of your guard depending on your grinding and clenching habits. Unlike over-the-counter guards, no two are the same from our dental office. Some of the benefits of custom mouthguards from your dentist in Peabody include:
- Create a buffer between the soft tissues of the lips, cheeks, and teeth.
- Prevent tooth fractures or dislocations by redistributing the forces of impact.
- Supports jaws with increased support and stability.
- Provide positive reinforcement in preventing neck injuries.
- Provide psychological benefits to athletes—allowing them to be more confident and aggressive while playing sports.
How long will my mouthguard last?
The custom mouthguards you can receive from our office should last you the whole season if not longer with proper care. It is important to remove your guard periodically, rinsing and cleaning it appropriately. If your athlete is young, it is also important to replace custom guards as their mouth continues to develop. Typically, during your routine dental checkup, Dr. Saati will be able to discuss whether creating a new mouthguard is necessary while he checks on the rest of your dental health. Our office loves to treat our athletic patients—both young players and professionals alike—with great preventive care. Call our office today to help protect you or a loved one from potential dental injuries.