The Science Behind Mouth Guards: How They Protect Your Jaw and Teeth

Nothing can be a better investment towards the health of your teeth and gums than mouth guards. When it comes to mouth guards (also referred to as night guards) they are needed by athletes in contact sports and people with the habit of teeth grinding while sleeping. In this blog, we will guide you about what mouth guards are, how they help your teeth and jaws, and why you should get one.

What Are Custom Mouth Guards

Mouth guards are protective appliances that cover the teeth and protect them from impact forces during various sports activities. Constructed from durable materials, these devices cushion teeth and jaw from impact, preventing damage from sports injuries, teeth grinding, or jaw clenching. There are three main types of mouth guards:

• Stock Mouth Guards: Pre-formed and ready to wear but offer less comfort and protection.
• Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guards: These are softened in hot water and then shaped around the teeth for a custom fit.
• Custom-made Mouth Guards: They’re custom-made from an impression of your teeth, making them the most effective protection.

The Role of Mouth Guard in Protecting Your Teeth During Sports

The main purpose of a mouth guard is to provide a shield between the teeth and any potential impacts during sports that prevent or reduce the chances of sustaining damages such as a crack, fracture, or chip on the teeth. But there's more to it than just shielding your teeth.

• Absorbing Impact Forces

  If you are playing any game and a ball hits your mouth or any other blow reaches your face, the mouth guard reduces the direct force on the teeth by distributing the impact over a wider mouth area.

• Preventing Tooth Loss

  The force from blows or accidents can cause tooth shifting or loss. Mouth guards provide stability by offering a protective shield around the teeth, reducing the likelihood of shifting during sports.

• Protecting Against Jaw Injuries

  Besides protecting the teeth, mouth guards are crucial for safeguarding the jaw and its related structures. The cushioning provided by the mouth guard sits between the upper and lower jaws to reduce the impact on the jaw joint. This helps protect against jaw fractures or dislocations caused by sudden impacts or quick movements.

• Minimizing Soft Tissue Damage

  Mouth guards help protect the teeth and jaw and shield the gums, lips, and cheeks from cuts and bruises. In sports, a sudden impact can force the lips or cheeks against the teeth, causing pain. This way, the mouth guard acts as a barrier, preventing such damage.

• Minimizing the Risk of Concussions

  An important consideration for mouth guards is their ability to protect against dangerous concussions. While designed primarily to safeguard teeth and jaws, they also help reduce the impact that can lead to concussions. The science behind this is that a properly fitted mouth guard minimizes the movement of the lower jaw during a blow. This reduction in movement helps prevent impacts that could cause a concussion.

How Does A Sports Mouth Guard Work?

To understand how mouth guards protect your teeth and jaw it's important to consider the materials used in mouth guards. They are made from special materials like ethylene vinyl acetate, a type of plastic with excellent shock absorption properties. Mouth guards may consist of multiple layers to increase the effectiveness of the protection they give. The outer layer is usually hard to bear the first strikes and the inner layer provides cushioning and comfort.

When you bite down on a sports mouth guard, it forms a custom fit that helps to distribute forces across the surface of the teeth. The mouth guard’s design ensures that force is not concentrated in one area but is instead dispersed across the entire surface, reducing the likelihood of injury.

Introducing Smilepath Custom Fit Sports Mouth Guard

Mouth guards go beyond being a protective accessory— they are effective tools in protecting your teeth, jaw, and mouth. With cutting-edge technology and high-quality materials, Smilepath mouth guards offer the highest level of protection for athletes or someone seeking preventive care. Here’s what Smilepath brings to the table:

• Protect your teeth during sports and physical activities.
• Tailored to fit your mouth, ensuring ease of talking, breathing, and hydration.
• Designed to absorb and distribute impact.

How To Get a Custom Mouth Guard?

At Smilepath, the process of getting your custom mouth guard is as simple as it can be. Just follow these simple steps:

Why You Choose Smilepath Mouth Guards?

• Custom-Fit Protection: Smilepath mouth guards are tailored to your unique dental structure, ensuring maximum comfort and effectiveness.
• Soft Tissue Safety: Protects your gums, lips, and cheeks from damage during high-impact games.
• Optimal for Sports: It helps to minimize the chances of dental injuries, especially during sporting activities, offering peace of mind during games.
• Affordable Dental Care: Affordable, yet very effective, Smilepath mouth guards are the way to build a healthy future for your teeth.

Recap

Mouth guards protect your teeth, jaw, and other sensitive areas in your mouth including your gums, lips, and cheeks. For both the sportsperson and anyone who tends to grind their teeth when asleep, they offer a crucial guard. As far as the type of mouth guards is concerned, Smilepath mouth guards are the most comfortable ones. At Smilepath, we are your dental care provider, protecting your smile during both everyday activities and high-impact moments.

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