Home Page

Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

!!!...Ouch...!!!

"Canker Sores"

!!...Email...!!

Mouthguards

Every person regardless of age, playing sports that involve contact or

the possibility of falling, should wear a protective mouthguard.

It is estimated by the National Youth Sports Foundation that more than

5 million teeth will be knocked out in sporting activities this year.

In fact, dental injuries are the most common type of oral facial injury sustained in sports.

Did you know that the most injured area of the body during contact sports is the mouth?

Dental injuries are painful, costly, and permanent. Therefore, any athlete, from Olympian to kids playing hockey on the street, should wear a mouthguard and a helmet or headgear.

What is a mouthguard?

A mouthguard is an appliance worn in the mouth which helps prevent injuries to the teeth, lips, cheeks, tongue, and jaw. It should be worn in addition to protective headgear which also protects against injuries to the head and neck.

Choosing a mouthguard:

There are three types of mouthguards that you may choose from.

Stock or ready-made mouthguards: These are the least expensive type and can be bought at most sports store. They are also the least satisfactory. Although they come in many different shapes and sizes, little can be done to adjust the stock mouthguard to fit your mouth. Many athletes complain that they are too bulky, loose, uncomfortable, and often interfere with breathing and speaking.

Mouth-formed/self-adapted mouthguards: These are still relatively inexpensive and are available from sports stores. They are molded to fit each individual mouth by boiling the mouthpiece in water and then biting into the warm plastic. They can be refitted if not properly made on the first try. This type of mouthguard can also feel bulky and can cause difficulty with breathing and speaking.

Custom-made mouthguards: This is the most highly recommended type of mouthguard. It is made at the dental office where it is individually designed and constructed by a dental professional. It is a bit more expensive than the other types but it has an exceptionally good fit. It is comfortable and does not interfere with speech or breathing.

What to look for in a mouthguard:

A mouthguard should:

provide maximum protection from a traumatic force

remain in place during sports activity (a well-fitted mouthguard will provide this, but if the mouthguard does not fit properly, it may be too loose and be knocked out easily)

not interfere with breathing or speech

be comfortable to wear

be easy to clean

Caring for your mouthguard:

rinse under cold water after each use

occasionally clean your mouthguard in a solution of soap and cool water

store it in a container containing water so it will not get damaged or lost

like any other sports gear, mouthguards can tear or wear out; therefore, replace them after each sports season

Mouthguards should be worn for all sports, especially:

football
baseball
basketball
soccer
hockey
tennis
racquetball
squash
bicycling
skating
lacrosse
martial arts
volleyball
boxing
rugby

How good are the 'boil and bite' store bought mouth pieces?

You may be familiar with the type of mouthguard that's formed by boiling and biting - but you may not know that by using 'boil and bites', you're only getting little or no real protection. That's because they are formed using low temperatures and as you bite down, most of the material between your teeth is displaced ( up to 99% of it ). And that's where the cushioning is needed most. Plus over time, 'boil and bites' continue to deteriorate - giving you even less protection..