When it comes to sports and physical activity, most people think about protecting their head, knees, or shoulders. Helmets, pads, and braces are common safety gear, but there’s one piece of protection that often gets overlooked: a mouthguard. Your teeth may be small, but injuries to them can be painful, expensive, and long-lasting.
Whether you play contact sports or enjoy recreational activities, wearing a mouthguard is one of the easiest ways to protect your smile.
Prevent Broken or Knocked-Out Teeth
One of the biggest reasons to wear a mouthguard is to protect your teeth from impact. A fall, elbow, ball, or collision can easily crack, chip, or knock out a tooth. Mouthguards act as a cushion, absorbing shock and reducing the force that reaches your teeth.
Dental injuries can happen in both contact and non-contact sports. Activities like basketball, soccer, skateboarding, biking, and gymnastics all carry a risk of accidental impact. Wearing a mouthguard adds an extra layer of protection that can make all the difference.
Reduce the Risk of Jaw Injuries
Mouthguards don’t just protect teeth—they also help protect your jaw. A strong hit to the chin can force the jaw upward, potentially causing joint injuries or fractures. Mouthguards help stabilize the jaw and reduce the risk of serious damage during impact.
By cushioning the blow, a mouthguard can help limit strain on the jaw muscles and joints, which may reduce soreness and long-term complications after physical activity.
Protect Soft Tissues Inside the Mouth
Without a mouthguard, a sudden impact can cause teeth to cut the lips, cheeks, or tongue. These injuries can be painful and take time to heal. A mouthguard creates a smooth barrier between your teeth and soft tissues, helping prevent cuts and bruising inside the mouth.
This protection is especially important for athletes who wear braces or other orthodontic appliances, as metal brackets can increase the risk of soft tissue injuries.
Support Overall Sports Safety
Wearing a mouthguard promotes safer play and peace of mind. When athletes know their teeth are protected, they may feel more confident and focused during activity. Mouthguards are lightweight, comfortable, and easy to wear, making them a simple addition to any sports routine.
Custom-fit mouthguards are designed to fit securely and allow for easy breathing and speaking, so protection doesn’t come at the expense of comfort or performance.
Avoid Costly Dental Emergencies
Dental injuries often require urgent care and can lead to expensive treatments such as crowns, root canals, or tooth replacements. Wearing a mouthguard significantly lowers the risk of dental emergencies, helping you avoid unexpected pain, stress, and costs.
Preventing injury is always easier—and more affordable—than treating it after it happens. Protecting your smile during physical activity is just as important as protecting the rest of your body.
About the Practice
Surf’s Up Dental provides comprehensive preventive and restorative dental care, including custom athletic mouthguards designed for comfort and protection. Dr. Bryce Cushing works closely with patients of all ages to help safeguard their smiles during sports and physical activities. With a focus on education, prevention, and personalized care, we help patients stay active while keeping their teeth healthy and protected.
Call us at (402) 773-7873 or request an appointment online.