young girl wearing a helmet, holding a skateboard under her arm, holds up her mouthguard and grins a

How to Know If You Need a Mouthguard

October 17, 2022 5:03 pm | Published by

Mouthguards are plastic protective devices that cover your teeth and gums. You can find them online and at many sports equipment stores, but mouthguards from the dentist are custom-made and more effective! How do you know if you need a mouthguard?

You Play Sports

Athletic mouthguards are very important if you play sports. According to the ADA, there’s a strong link between high-speed, high-contact sports and dental injuries. Soccer, basketball, football, boxing, martial arts, and lacrosse all involve speed and contact, so you’ll want to protect your teeth. You should also consider wearing a mouthguard if you ski, skateboard, or engage in other activities where you could fall and hit your mouth.

You Don’t Want Traumatic Dental Injuries

Sports injuries can cause significant damage to your smile. Teeth can get cracked, partially dislodged, or completely knocked out. You can also accidentally bite your tongue, lips, or cheeks as you fall or get hit. Wearing a mouthguard is a very easy, but effective way to protect yourself from dental trauma.

You Grind Your Teeth

Do you clench and grind your teeth when you sleep? Grinding, which is also known as bruxism, wears down your tooth enamel and can cause chips and cracks. Since it happens when you sleep, you may be unaware it’s happening. Watch for signs like morning headaches or a sore jaw. The dentist can also tell by looking at your teeth if you’re grinding your teeth a lot. We may recommend a nightguard, which is a mouthguard you wear at night to protect your teeth from grinding damage.

Custom Mouthguards at Mauka Family Dental in Mililani, HI

Cheap mouthguards are available online and at sports equipment stores, but they’re often ill-fitting. Custom-made mouthguards from a dentist fit your smile perfectly and provide much better protection. They’re also more durable! If you have questions or want to book an appointment with Dr. Kim or Dr. Wee, please contact us today.

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