Football and lacrosse aren’t the only sports that require players to use mouthguards! Many of your favorite winter sports are best enjoyed with the protection of a mouthguard. From basketball and hockey to skiing and wrestling, it’s essential to consider the safety of your teeth as you play.
You deserve to have an active and exciting winter, and you don’t want a painful dental injury to stand in your way. If you have had dental work such as dental implants, porcelain veneers or dentures from our dentist in Hoffman Estates, wearing a mouthguard can save you from costly repairs.
Why Are Mouthguards Important In Winter Sports?
Your favorite winter sport poses many different dangers to your smile.
Basketball, for example, actually causes one of the highest numbers of dental injuries among players. So much jumping, running, and diving for the ball creates the perfect recipe for a dental disaster. It’s not just your teeth that are vulnerable, but your jaw and tongue as well.
Hockey and skiing are also extremely dangerous due to their use of snow and ice for speed. Whether you’re flailing hockey sticks or flying down a black diamond slope, mouth protection should remain a top priority.
The same goes for wrestling. Although wrestling doesn’t have the same type of diving, jumping, and speeding involved in other winter sports, it’s still an intense activity with dangerous grappling and pinning. Such close proximity between you and another player can easily lead to major dental injuries.
Types of Mouthguards
Fortunately, mouthguards are easy to find and afford. Make sure you talk to your dentist to identify the best choice for your unique oral needs. It’s possible to purchase standard, pre-formed mouthguards at sports stores, or you could try the slightly more personal “boil and bite” mouthguard that shapes to your teeth.
In most cases, your best option is a customized mouthguard that is fabricated with higher-quality materials and designed to protect your entire mouth. If you have specific needs like braces or previously injured teeth, your customized mouthguard will be shaped to address those specifications.
Reach out to Forest Edge Dental in Hoffman Estates, IL for any help you need finding the best type of mouthguard for your winter sport. Our dentist and team are committed to helping you maintain the best dental health, whether it’s on the slopes or on the court.