Avoid the Dentist But Fight On
Being part of a martial arts club, especially one which engages in semi or full contact sparring, is both an exhilarating and challenging experience. However, it can result in a number of risks that could lead to injury. Taking part in any martial art can put your teeth and mouth at risk of injury due to the impact of kicks, punches and knocks. Whilst a trip to an emergency dentist at a place like Runcorn Dental is always available, it's better to take preventative measures and protect yourself using dental approved means.
Using mouthguards is the best way to take steps to protect your mouth and ensure great oral health whilst minimising the risk of emergency dental trips.
What is a Mouthguard?
A mouthguard is a piece of equipment that fits in the mouth and surrounds the teeth, often just the top ones. It prevents injury via a variety of different ways. Firstly, it prevents impact injuries to the teeth and gums which can lead to chips and bruises. Secondly, it stops teeth from hitting each other or someone biting their tongue. Chipped teeth can require extensive oral surgery, of which some could be severe.
What Do Dentists Like?
The Australian Dental Association recommends custom mouthguards. These are tailored to your mouth specifically and provide the best protection for teeth. This drastically reduces the likelihood of damage, and in the eventuality of something happening, it's likely it will be less serious and will warrant a regular trip to the dentist as opposed to an emergency one.
Tailored mouthguards are created by dental specialists who take a mould of the mouth using a special type of putting. This is then sent away to be made and can often be made in a variety of different colours. These mouthguards are better than the cheaper ones as they are often harder. They're also more comfortable, and they allow you to talk and breath better without the risk of the mouthguard falling out. They are more expensive, but cheaper alternatives and replacements are available. These are similar but are created at home. They are submerged in hot water then placed in the mouth and naturally mould to your teeth. They offer less stability and are therefore not recommended, however, they make for good replacements should you lose your good mouthguard.
Whatever you choose, listen to your dentist and if you do find yourself in the emergency room at least do so knowing you did all you could to protect your teeth.
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