Did you know mouth guards save tens of thousands of teeth every year? When it comes to sports, wearing one is part of the uniform. Basketball pro Stephen Curry tends to push his mouth guard out almost every time there’s a break in the game. But one the action starts, it’s back in place.

And for good reason…

Mouth guards actually improve performance. They prevent teeth from clenching which fatigues jaw muscles. They absorb the force of contact and decrease the possibility of teeth getting chipped, broken and lost completely. Knowing they’re protected allows athletes to better focus on the game.

And they’re not just for contact sports. Even non-contact activities – like gymnastics, ice skating and skiing cause falls. When jaws come together, the teeth hit each other and the resulting damage is permanent. Think of a mouth guard as an “airbag” around your teeth. Protecting those ‘pearly whites’ avoids procedures like root canals and implants. Better yet, you’re able to show off your best smile!