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Mouthguards
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Being fitted for a mouthguard
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 | What is a mouthguard?
 | A mouthguard is a flexible appliance made out of plastic that
is worn in athletic and recreational activities to protect teeth
from trauma. |
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| Why should I wear a
mouthguard?
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| To protect your mouth from injuries. The dental profession
unanimously supports the use of mouthguards in a variety of sports
activities. More than 200,000 injuries to the mouth occur each year. |
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| Do mouthguards prevent injuries?
| A mouthguard can prevent serious injuries such as concussions,
cerebral hemorrhages, incidents of unconsciousness, jaw
fractures and neck injuries by helping to avoid situations where
the lower jaw gets jammed into the upper jaw. |
| Mouthguards are effective in moving soft tissue in the oral
cavity away from the teeth, preventing laceration and bruising
of the lips and cheeks, especially for those who wear
orthodontic appliances. |
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| In what sports should I wear a
mouthguard?
| Anytime there is a strong chance for contact with other
participants or hard surfaces, it is advisable to wear a
mouthguard. Players who participate in basketball, softball,
wrestling, soccer, lacrosse, rugby, in-line skating, and martial
arts as, well as skateboarding, and bicycling should wear
mouthguards while competing. |
| Currently. five sports at the amateur level require
mouthguards during practice and competition: boxing. football,
ice hockey, men's lacrosse and women's field hockey. |
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| Why don't kids wear
mouthguards?
| Parents are sometimes uninformed about the level of contact
and potential for serious dental injuries involved with sports
in which the child participates. Some, though not all schools,
reinforce the health advantage of mouthguards for their contact
sports. Cost may be another consideration, although mouthguards
come in a variety of price ranges |
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| What are the different types of
mouthguards?
| Stock Mouthguard: The lowest cost option is a stock item,
which offers the least protection because the fit adjustment is
limited. It may interfere with speech and breathing because this
mouthguard requires that the jaw be closed to hold it in place.
A stock mouthguard is not considered as an acceptable as a
facial protective device. |
| Mouth-formed protectors: These mouthguards come as a
shell-liner and "boil and bite" product. The shell is
lined with acrylic or rubber. when placed in an athlete's mouth,
the protector's lining material molds to the teeth and is
allowed to set. |
| The lining of the "boil and bite" mouthguard is
immersed in boiling water of 10-45 seconds, transferred to cold
water and then adapted to the teeth. The "boil and
bite" mouthguard is used by more than 90 percent of
athletes who use mouthguards. While they are less expensive than
custom-made guards, the fit is not as good and they do not last
as long. |
| Custom-made mouth protectors: The best choice is a mouthguard
custom-made by your dentist. It offers the best protection, fit
and comfort level because it is made from a cast to fit your
teeth. |
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| How should I care for a mouthguard?
| -Clean your mouthguard by washing it with soap and warm (not
hot) water |
| -Before storing, soak your mouthguard in mouthwash |
| -Keep your mouthguard in a well-ventilated plastic storage box
when not in use. Make sure the box has several holes so the
mouthguard will dry. |
| -Heat is bad for mouthguards, so don't leave it in direct
sunlight or in a closed automobile |
| -Don't bend your mouthguard when storing. |
| -Don't handle or wear someone else's mouthguard. |
| -Call your dentist who made the mouthguard if there are any
problems. |
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