Mouth Guards

Uses And Types...

The Academy for Sports Dentistry (www.sportsdentistry.org) recommends using a properly fitted mouth guard, also known as an "athletic mouthpiece," when engaging in any type of contact sport.  For the best fit attainable, the ASD advocates the use of a custom fabricated mouth guard made over a dental cast and delivered under the supervision of a dentist. 

We agree wholeheartedly with the ASD!  While mouth guards are not mandatory equipment for all sports, their value cannot be dismissed.  Studies show that over one third of all injuries treated by dentists are sports related.  It is also estimated that an athlete participating in a contact sport runs a 10% chance of experiencing some sort of orofacial injury (injury to the tissues or structures in and around the mouth) during any given athletic event, whether a practice scrimmage or an official game.  A mouth guard should be part of every athlete's gear, no matter the sport and no matter the level of skill of the participant.  Mouth guards cushion blows to the face and neck and protect the hard and soft tissues of the mouth from damage caused by traumatic blows and collisions.

So, what is it? 

A mouth guard is a plastic dental appliance that, when worn properly, can provide a certain level of protection for the mouth's soft tissues (lips, cheeks, gums, tongue) and hard tissues (teeth, jawbones).

Studies show that a mouth guard can help prevent tooth breakage, tooth dislocation, and jaw fracture by cushioning blunt blows to the mouth and teeth.  Mouth guards can also help prevent bruising or laceration of the soft oral tissues by acting as a shock absorber and minimizing the effects of sudden mouth trauma.  Additionally, mouth guards may help protect against concussions by absorbing and dispersing sudden violent blows to the jaw.

Types of Mouth Guards

Generally speaking, there are three types of mouth guards: 

1. Stock
2. Boil & Bite
3. Custom

A stock mouth guard is a pre-formed mouthpiece that can be found at just about any retail outlet.  Stock mouth guards are not customized to your specific bite and tend to be very inexpensive.  Stock mouth guards offer only minimal protection.

A boil and bite mouth guard is made from a type of thermoplastic.  This type of guard is immersed in hot water until it becomes pliable and then it is placed in the user's mouth to be manually molded.  This is accomplished by biting down on the plastic and using your fingers, lips, cheeks, and tongue to mold the guard to the contours of your mouth.

A custom mouth guard can be obtained from the athlete's dentist.  This type of guard is custom fitted by a dental professional and is considered to be the guard that offers the most protection against mouth and jaw trauma.  The design of the custom guard can be individualized for both the wearer and the type of sport being played.  The comfort, fit, and level of protection a custom mouth guard offers are considered to be excellent.  Of course, if the mouth guard is comfortable and easy to use then the athlete is much more likely to wear it at all times.