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5 Reasons to Use a Sports guard
A mouth guard, or sports guard is a soft plastic oral device that protects your teeth, and the soft tissues in your cheeks, and even protects your jaw and tongue when you’re competing in sports. A third of mouth injuries occur during sports activities, making it very important that you consider these 5 reasons to use a sports guard while playing in your favorite sport.
Prevents 200,000 Oral Injuries a Year
The American Dental Association claim that Sports Guard Mouthpieces prevent up to 200,000 Oral injuries a year. While many programs require helmets and knee pads, or other protective gear including shoes or specialized gloves, few of them require players to use a sports guard.
Protects the Jaw
Mouth Guards often protect the jaw from hard blows. This can prevent injuries and fractures to the jaw, and in some cases can even prevent concussions and other head injuries that can occur with high contact sports.
Protecting Against Soft Tissue Injuries
A blow to the mouth can cause hard teeth and soft tissue to come together, causing injuries to the lips, cheeks, and tongue. High contact sports increase the risk of these injuries, making it a wise investment to use a sports guard in your safety while playing a sport.
Saving Dental Costs
Mouth Guards themselves cost much less than expensive dental work needed to recover from traumatic dental injuries. Chipped teeth, knocked out teeth, lip, cheek and jaw injuries are just some expenses that a well made mouth guard can prevent. The up front cost of a little preventative protection is far less than the possible results of avoiding it.
Easy Maintenance
Mouth guards are easy to clean. Thoroughly clean with toothpaste and a toothbrush after each use. Store in a hard plastic container that is well ventilated to reduce growth of bacteria and protect against structural damage. Also, do not leave the mouthguard in direct sunlight or intense heat as it can warp or damage the mouthguard reducing the level of protection it provides. It is simple and easy to use a sports guard, and good maintenance goes a long way to the best protection you can have from yours.
Wearing a sports guard can protect your mouth whether you engage in high contact sports such as football, wrestling, or boxing, or in lower contact sports like baseball or volleyball, you can still benefit from the protective qualities of a sports guard.
There are several different types of mouth guards that may fit your needs and budget, with some provide better protection than others. Call our local Jacksonville dental office to make an appointment to discuss what kind of sports guard is best for you and your sport.
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Dr. Jordan Cooper is from Jacksonville, AR. His father is Dr. James Cooper, a Jonesboro, AR native and practicing dentist of 39 years and his mother, Tracy Cooper, is a dental hygienist from Little Rock. Dr. Cooper graduated high school from Central Arkansas Christian, after which he entered at the University of Arkansas as a Chancellor’s Scholar in 1998.
Dr. David Cole is a graduate from the University of Arkansas, receiving his degree in 2016, and is a huge Razorback fan! He then went to dental school at the University of Tennessee where he received his D.D.S. in 2021. He looks forward to getting to know the Central Arkansas area, and serving his community!
Dr. Rasmussen is a Hot Springs native who graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2017 (Go Bears). After receiving his D.D.S from The University of Tennessee in 2021, he is looking forward to serving the central Arkansas community and the wonderful people who live here.
Dr. James Cooper was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He studied at the University of New Mexico and graduated from dental school from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. After 2 years of dental experience with the Army, Dr. Cooper moved to Jacksonville in 1973 to practice dentistry.