Amouthguardis a protective device for themouththat covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce injury to the teeth, arches, lips and gums. Amouthguardis most often used to prevent injury in contact sports, as a treatment for bruxism or TMD, or as part of certaindentalprocedures, such as tooth bleaching. Mouth guards are an important piece of athletic equipment for anyone participating in a sport that involves falls, body contact or flying equipment. This includes football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, skateboarding, gymnastics, mountain biking — any activity that might result in an injury to the mouth.
FUNCTIONS OF MOUTHGUARDS
In their book Textbook and Color Atlas of Traumatic Injuries to the Teeth, Andreasen and Andreasen8 list 8 basic mouthguard functions:
(1) Mouthguards prevent laceration and bruising during impact by acting as a buffer between the soft tissues of the lips and cheeks and the teeth.
(2) Mouthguards prevent tooth fractures or dislocations by cushioning the teeth from direct frontal blows while redistributing the forces of impact.
(3) Opposing teeth are protected from seismic contact with each other.
(4) The mandible is afforded elastic, recuperative support that can prevent fracture or damage to the unsupported angle of the lower jaw.
(5) Mouthguards help reduce neurologic injury by acting as shock absorbers between the upper and lower jaws. Without a mouthguard, the trauma of the jaws violently jarring together can distribute the impact from the condyles of the mandible against the base of the skull, resulting in concussion.
(6) Mouthguards can provide positive reinforcement in the prevention of neck injuries.9
(7) Mouthguards provide a psychologic benefit to athletes. Findings suggest athletes feel more confident and aggressive when they have the proper protection.10
(8) Mouthguards fill edentulous spaces and thereby help support adjacent teeth. This allows removable prostheses to be taken out during athletic competition.
Ready-made-these are ready to wear availableoverthecounteratsportsshopsandchemists. Whilethesearethecheapestmouthguard, theyalsooffertheleastamountof protection. Theyare(taking up a lot of space for its weight)andhardtokeepinthemouthdueto theirpoorfit. CustommademouthguardsTeeth relatedHealthServicesVictoria(DHSV)recommendscustom fittedmouthguardsasthese providethemosteffectiveprotection.
Acustommademouthguardshould:
Fitsnuglyandbecomfortable
Allow(usual/commonly and regular/ healthy)breathingandswallowing
AllowthewearertospeakBeodorlessand(having no taste/rude and offensive)
1)Takethemouthguardalongtoyourteeth-relatedvisitstosecure/make sure ofitstillfits correctly.A mouthguard may need to be replaced as changes occur in your mouth, such as the eruption of permanent teeth or restoration. 2)Mouthguardsneedtoberinsedincoldwaterbeforeuse.Afteruse,dryandstoreinaplastic containerwithairventstoallowtheairtocirculate.
Mouth guards should ideally be replaced after each season because they can wear down over time, making them less effective. Replacement is especially important for adolescents because their mouths continue to grow and teeth continue to develop into adulthood. Many athletes who play several sports have new mouth guards made when they go for their six-month dental checkup.
Summary
Dentistsareencouragedtoaskpatientsiftheyparticipateinteamsportsorotheractivitieswith risks of injury totheteeth,jawandoralsofttissues(mouth,lip,tongue,orinnerliningofthe cheeks).The council recommendthatpeopleofallagesuseaproperlyfittedmouthguardinanysportingorrecreationalactivitythatmaypresent/causearisk ofinjury.