What good is a Mouthguard?
You make your child wear knee pads and a helmet when skateboarding, but are you forgetting something? We’re all familiar with the mouthguards worn by professional boxers and hockey players to protect their teeth, but did you know your child is just as vulnerable to tooth trauma during sports as a professional athlete? Drs. Claudia and Alex Denes frequently see patients with tooth and mouth injuries that could have easily been avoided by the use of sport mouthguards.
What are sport mouthguards?
Sport mouthguards are coverings placed over the teeth to protect them during physical activity. They are most often used during contact sports such as football, soccer, boxing, hockey, and lacrosse, but they may be indicated for some non-contact sports as well. If you participate in any physical activity that poses the risk of a fall, such as gymnastics, biking, or skateboarding, you may experience trauma to your teeth. Mouthguards can protect your teeth, gums, lips, and tongue from injury, and they are vitally important if you wear braces, as any blow to the mouth can result in broken appliances and soft tissue injuries.
What type of mouthguard should I use?
There are three different types of mouthguards:
- Stock. A stock mouthguard, which is available at sporting goods stores, is pre-formed. While these mouthguards are inexpensive, they are also bulky, do not fit very well, and offer less protection than other types of mouthguards.
- Boil and bite. Made from a thermoplastic material, boil and bite mouthguards are available at sporting goods stores and fit better than stock mouthguards because they are customizable. First, you boil the mouthguard, and then you bite down on the soft plastic so that it molds to the shape of your mouth.
- Custom-fitted. These mouthguards are custom made by your dentist and provide better fit and protection over the other types. Dr. Denes will make an impression of your teeth and design a mouthguard that fits you perfectly, allowing for better breathing and speaking while wearing it.
How should I care for my sport mouthguard?
- Rinse your mouthguard thoroughly with cool water before and after each use. You may also clean it with a toothbrush and toothpaste or soap and water if you’d prefer.
- Always store your mouthguard in its container when not in use.
- Do not expose your mouthguard to hot water, sunlight, or any extreme temperatures.
- Take your mouthguard with you to each dental checkup so that Dr. Denes can determine if it still fits properly or needs to be replaced because of wear and tear.