Whether you’re involved in team sports yourself, or your child plays sports like football, rugby or hockey, it will soon be time to return to the pitch – so are you prepared?
A sports guard (or mouthguard) is an essential piece of kit for contact sports or any sport that risks contact with the face, providing protection to the teeth and peace of mind throughout a match.
In this blog post, we explain why a custom-made mouthguard is the best choice available, and how the process is now quicker and easier than ever here at Ringley Park.
Why a custom-made mouthguard is a sporting essential
If you or your child play sports like rugby, hockey, lacrosse, boxing or martial arts, a sports guard is just as essential as a helmet is for cycling.
Sports guards offer protection to the teeth and jaw, preventing broken teeth, damaged jawbones, and injuries to the neck and brain.
Statistics from the British Orthodontic Society show that 13-39% of dental injuries are sports related. Furthermore, foregoing a mouthguard has been found to increase the risk of oro-facial trauma in contact sports, potentially leaving permanent cosmetic damage.
While some sports guards might be available over the counter, these guards offer an inferior level of protection compared to a custom guard made by a dentist. These store-bought sports guards have been found to offer minimal comfort, interfere with athletic performance, and offer less effective protection to the mouth, jaw and neck.
A bespoke mouthguard is tailor made to your mouth using an impression or digital scan of your teeth. This guarantees a snug and comfortable fit, providing better retention and better protection.
Getting a custom-made mouthguard is now quicker and easier than ever
If you’ve ever had a mouthguard made by a dentist before, you might remember it being a slightly messy job. The process of taking traditional impressions involved a putty-like substance being pressed onto the teeth to create a mould. We understand that this isn’t always the most comfortable experience for patients!
Now, with the help of state-of-the-art technology and our iTero scanner – we no longer require traditional impressions to create a high-quality, custom sports guard.
How it works
The iTero intraoral scanner is essentially a tiny digital camera on the end of a handpiece. We use this to quickly and efficiently scan your mouth, teeth and bite – producing an accurate 3D image of your smile in just 5 minutes. We then use this scan to create your custom-made sports guard.
Benefits of using the iTero scanner for sports guards
- Accuracy – The state-of-the-art iTero scanner allows us to get highly accurate impressions of your teeth.
- Speed – Our digital intraoral scanner takes just 5 minutes to produce highly accurate impressions – that’s a fraction of the time it used to take with traditional impressions.
- More comfortable and less invasive – The scanner has been designed to fit comfortably in your mouth, ensuring a minimally invasive and comfortable patient experience. You’ll be able to breathe and swallow with ease while the dental professional is scanning your mouth. And no unpleasant taste is left in your mouth afterwards!
Book your scan now at Ringley Park
Make sure you and your family are fully protected when playing sports. Speak to a member of our friendly team on 01737 240123 or book online today.
