Playsafe: Premium Sports Mouthguard
Sports dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dental injuries and oral conditions in athletes. The goal of sports dentistry is to preserve and improve the oral health of athletes, which can directly impact their overall physical performance and well-being.
The importance of oral health for athletes
Oral health can significantly affect the lives and performance of athletes. Inadequately treated injuries pose a risk for new injuries and tooth loss.
Untreated teeth in athletes can lead to infections of the jawbone, which, besides causing local symptoms in the oral cavity, can also cause problems in distant organs. There have been cases where bacteria originating from the teeth have significantly affected the motor system of athletes.
Common injuries and issues
Research shows that about 13.3% of young athletes experience sports-related dental injuries, with a higher prevalence in males (14.3%) compared to females (10.7%).
Dental injuries are most common in high-contact sports, such as martial arts, football, basketball, and handball.
The most common injuries include tooth fractures, jaw fractures, tooth avulsion (knocked-out teeth), and injuries to surrounding soft tissues.
Studies have shown that athletes who regularly use mouthguards have a lower risk of recurrent injuries. Personalized mouthguards provide better protection and comfort during sports activities.
What is the Playsafe sports mouthguard?
Playsafe is a sports mouthguard designed to prevent injuries that occur during sports activities. Whether for professional or recreational training, a mouthguard is an essential piece of sports equipment.
At the dental office of Dr. Bede, the Playsafe mouthguard is made under the license of the renowned German manufacturer Erkodent.
Who is the Playsafe mouthguard for?
Playsafe is intended for everyone, both children and adults, regardless of the type of sport they engage in.
So far, it has most commonly been used by hockey players, basketball players, footballers, handball players, fighters of all martial arts, rugby players, snowboarders, mountainboarders, skateboarders, cyclists, motorcyclists, etc. Depending on the risk of dental injury, firmer mouthguards are made for contact sports, while softer material mouthguards are made for team sports.
Advantages over other mouthguards
Playsafe is an individualized sports mouthguard made according to the athlete’s dental impression. Thus, it has minimal dimensions, which does not affect its superior protective role.
This way, the most common problems that athletes dislike about universal or semi-finished mouthguards, such as discomfort and bulkiness, inability to speak, difficulty breathing, and improper shaping of semi-finished mouthguards, are avoided.
You can often see athletes during games playing with their mouthguards, constantly taking them out of their mouths, or holding them in their hands because they are bothersome. Playsafe stays firmly in the athlete’s mouth, does not interfere during the game, and positively affects concentration and performance. It is also important to note that breathing and speaking are not impeded.
How is Playsafe made?
Playsafe is made by taking an impression of the upper and lower jaws at the dental office. Based on the model of the teeth, a mouthguard is made from sheets of varying hardness, depending on the sport. For athletes involved in contact sports, mouthguards of the greatest hardness are made.
How to maintain the Playsafe mouthguard?
Playsafe is easy to maintain. After use, it should be cleaned with a toothbrush and toothpaste and stored in a case with ventilation holes until the next use. Keep the mouthguard away from sources of high heat.
Preventive measures
In sports dentistry, the most important thing is to prevent problems from occurring. Besides using a mouthguard, regular check-ups with a dentist are very important.
Additionally, it is necessary to take an X-ray once every two years to check the health of all tooth roots and jawbones. Proper oral hygiene maintenance will prevent the development of cavities and gum inflammation.
Treatment and rehabilitation
If a dental injury occurs, it is necessary to seek dental help immediately. An X-ray can check if there is a root fracture, and a dental examination will determine the condition of the tooth crowns and surrounding soft tissues.
Broken teeth can be reconstructed, and those that are loose need to be fixed to stabilize them.
Frequently asked questions
How to maintain oral health while engaging in sports?
The most important thing is regular dental check-ups and proper maintenance of oral hygiene.
What is the proper diet for maintaining the health of teeth and gums?
A diet rich in vegetables, especially fibrous ones, is good for oral health. It is important that the food consumed is of a firmer consistency (e.g., raw celery), as this stimulates the surrounding bone of the teeth, thereby extending the lifespan of the teeth.
The importance of hydration and its impact on oral health
Hydration is very important for dental health. If the pH in the mouth is acidic, bacteria can easily multiply and attack the teeth and gums. Adequate water intake throughout the day regulates the pH in the mouth, preventing bacterial growth.