The American Dental Association has found that more mouthguards prevent more than 200,000 oral injuries each year. They can prevent chipped, broken, and knocked out teeth, which are common in contact sports like football, soccer, hockey, and baseball. In addition, they can protect the lips, tongue, and face and reduce the severity of a concussion.
Even those with braces should wear mouthguards if they play contact sports. A mouthguard can prevent bracket damage and reduce damage to the soft tissues that may occur from an impact. While there are many mouthguards you can purchase over-the-counter at brick-and-mortar sporting good stores and online, we recommend custom-fit mouthguards.
Custom-fit mouthguards are specifically designed to match an athlete’s unique mouth. They are made using special materials at a dentist office like ours. Although they are pricier than over-the-counter mouthguards, they are often well worth the extra cost because they provide optimal comfort and protection.
Unfortunately, many people who wear mouthguards fail to take proper care of them. Since they protect us from harm and damage, we should treat them well by cleaning them on a regular basis. Although rinsing them with water is better than doing nothing at all, a quick water rinse is rarely enough.
We often recommend washing a mouthguards with antibacterial soap to ensure it’s completely clean and free of germs. They should be rinsed properly before they are inserted into the mouth to avoid a soapy taste.
You may be wondering how often mouthguards should be cleaned. If possible, clean it once a day and deep clean it once a month. Deep cleaning involves soaking it in a gentle denture cleaner for a few minutes. You may also want to clean your case as well as bacteria can build up in it.
Schedule an Appointment River Run Dental
For more information on how to clean a mouthguard, we encourage you to contact our office today at 804-262-1060. We look forward to hearing from you!