Let's Talk Mouth Guards

JULY 2011



With fall sports around the corner, the use of mouth guards usually comes up. I recommend using a mouth guard during any activity that could result in a blow to the face or mouth. A properly fitted mouth guard can help prevent broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw. It will stay in place while you are wearing it, making it easy for you to talk and breathe. Mouth protectors, which typically cover the upper teeth, can cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the soft tissues of the mouth. If you wear braces or another fixed dental appliance on your lower jaw, I would suggest a mouth protector for these teeth as well.

Accidents can happen during any physical activity. A misdirected elbow in a one-on-one basketball game or a spill off a bicycle can leave you with chipped or broken teeth, nerve damage to a tooth or even tooth loss. A mouth protector can limit the risk of such injuries as well as protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining. But a mouth guard in these instances may not always be handy.

In my opinion, however - anyone who participates in a sport that carries a significant risk of injury should wear a mouth protector. This includes a wide range of sports like football, hockey, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, and volleyball. I am talking anyone, not just student athletes.

There are three types of mouth protectors:

STOCK
Stock mouth protectors are inexpensive and come pre-formed, ready to wear. Unfortunately, they often don't fit very well. They can be bulky and can make breathing and talking difficult.

BOIL AND BITE
Boil and bite mouth protectors also can be bought at many sporting goods stores and may offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. They should be softened in water, then inserted and allowed to adapt to the shape of your mouth. If you don't follow the directions carefully you can wind up with a poor-fitting mouth protector.

CUSTOM-FITTED
Custom-fitted mouth protectors are made by your dentist for you personally. They can be more expensive than the other versions, but because they are fitted for you they offer not only a better fit than anything you buy off the shelf, but the protection you need to prevent injury to your teeth.*

*American Dental Association information contributed to this article.