Should I Wear a Mouthguard for Basketball?
The FIBA Basketball World Cup is currently underway and it looks like the United States is sure to take home yet another crown, but this is a dental blog so we’re here to talk about the goliath efforts of Dario Saric after having 6 of his teeth knocked out by Andres Nocioni. Not only did he come back into the game, but he buried a 3-pointer right after entering the game from having his dental health assessed.
Yes, Dario Saric is a terrific basketball player and he showed extreme grit in the game against Argentina, but he made a crucial error in judgement when he decided to not wear a mouth guard. Basketball is a non-contact sport, but there is bound to be accidents and an elbow flying errantly into your mouth is one of them. Some of the best in the game wear a mouthguard and there is a variety of styles to pick from for function and the always important ‘cool factor.’
When you’re playing sports your mouthguard is your last line of defense in protecting your teeth and it should always be on top of your list when getting ready for practice or the game. When picking your mouthguard you have the option of a standard mouthguard, which offers some basic protection for your chompers, but not as much as the other alternatives.
Next in terms of protection would be a mouthguard from the boil and bite variety. This mouthguard offers a great deal of protection, but usually fills your mouth with excess material that makes it difficult to communicate with your teammates.
Lastly, there is the custom mouthguard. This piece is very streamlined as it’s created to fit perfectly into your mouth. Not only is it great for sports where communication is relied on heavily, but with custom mouthguards you can create one that is as cool as your nerves when you’re shooting those game winning free-throws.
So have fun out there and don’t forget to protect those teeth of yours, because they’re the only ones you have. For any questions about mouthguards and how to protect your teeth better, contact Dr. Frost today at (314) 567-1888 for your consultation.