Can a Sports Mouthguard Straighten Your Teeth?
A sports mouthguard cannot straighten your teeth, but it can help prevent dental accidents that can lead to tooth shifting or other problems.
The idea that a sports mouthguard can straighten your teeth is an old wives’ tale. The truth of the matter is that wearing a mouthguard can help prevent tooth loss, but it cannot miraculously create straighter teeth.
There are many other factors to consider when determining how straight your teeth will be. Your genes, the type and position of your jaws, and even what kind of toothbrush you use can have more impact on how crooked or straight your teeth are than whether or not you wear a mouthguard while playing sports.
What is a sports mouthguard?
A sports mouthguard is a dental device that can be worn by anyone who participates in contact or high-impact activities like football, rugby, basketball, and baseball. It is often made of plastic with an inner layer of a special type of foam to provide extra protection for teeth. The mouthpiece protects the player’s lips from injury as well because it covers them when they take part in these types of games and practices.
The only time this protective equipment does not have any benefits is if you wear braces on your teeth. In this case, wearing a guard will cover up brackets on your molars which could damage them during playtime!
There are some mouthguards designed especially for people with braces. These are less likely to hurt your teeth. When you purchase a new mouthguard make sure it says it is compatible with braces.
Brands like Shock Doctor and SISU have many mouthguards compatible with braces while Venum lacks in this department.
Sports Mouthguards are very important pieces of safety gear if you’re playing sports, but if you are wondering can a sports mouthguard straighten teeth? Remember they cannot straighten your teeth!
Why do people wear them?
When you play sports, no matter what age, it is necessary to wear a mouthguard. You can’t just go out and do physical activity without protection for your teeth and gums because they are quite vulnerable during these types of actions. Mouthguards will protect against head injuries that may result in loosened or lost teeth.
How does it work
The mouthguard will work by cushioning the blow to your teeth and gums. This can help prevent serious issues that may occur such as permanent damage and even death if you don’t wear a mouthguard.
The force of the impact is distributed evenly among the mouthguard resulting in less damage to a specific area. If the force is focused in one area then it could knock out a tooth.
Who should wear one and who shouldn’t
Anyone who participates in an activity that can cause dental injury should wear one.
This includes sports such as MMA, boxing, football, basketball, soccer, and rugby. Other activities include skateboarding or biking which can lead to falls and accidents with your mouth open at the time of impact.
Where can I buy one in my area?
You can buy a mouthguard from your local sporting goods store or dentist’s office.
They are also available for purchase online on sites such as amazon.com.
The cost of the mouthguards ranges in price, but typically you will spend $10-$500 dollars depending on what type and brand you want to purchase.
A custom-fitted mouthguard can be made by your dentist or orthodontist to ensure the best protection for your teeth.
You can see many mouthguards reviewed on our blog.
Is there anything else to consider before buying one
It is important to take into consideration your budget, the type of activity you will be participating in, and how often.
For heavy impact sports such as football and hockey, you will need a mouthguard that can withstand high-impact collisions.
When participating in more passive activities like basketball it is not necessary to have such a strong shield for your teeth.
Many people consider how often they are playing the sport when deciding which type of mouthguard to purchase. Having a good mouthguard can be a one-time investment.
A mouth guard that is more expensive can last for years and provide the protection your teeth need every time you play without needing to buy it again.
You could invest in a custom-made mouthguard or a pre-formed mouth guard.
The custom-made mouthguard can be molded to your teeth and is the most expensive type of shield. They will provide you with the best protection for your teeth in all types of activity.
A pre-formed mouthguard is inexpensive and can be bought at many sporting goods stores.
This type of guard is not going to provide the same protection for your teeth because they are pre-formed. It will still offer decent protection when playing a contact sport.
Most mouthguards on the market are called boil and bite. You can boil them in water and mold them on your teeth to get a good fit.
The most important thing is that you protect your teeth. Invest in the type of device that best suits your needs and budget.
Conclusion
So, can a sports mouthguard straighten your teeth?
A mouthguard can’t magically straighten your teeth, but wearing one will prevent you from sustaining a dental injury.
If you participate in high-impact sports, you can get a custom-fitted mouthguard that will provide more protection for your teeth.
Talk to your dentist about the best type of device for you and invest in quality, rather than cheap.
It is also a lot cheaper to invest in a mouthguard than going to a dentist to fix your teeth.