1. In what sports should I wear a mouthguard?

2. What are the different types of mouthguards?

3. How should I care for a mouthguard?

4. Who can fit me with a mouthguard?
5. Can you have a mouthguard if you have orthodontic bands/appliances

6. Why don't kids wear mouthguards?
    

    

    

In WHAT ... ?

Anytime there is a strong chance for contact with other participants or hard surfaces, it is advisable to wear a mouthguard. Players who participate in:

 

What Are The... ?

Mouthguard criteria list FIRST;

Fit well.
Be protective of the teeth.
Resistant to tearing or shredding.
Least bulky possible while still providing protection.
Comfortable.
Adequate thickness to prevent concussions.
Allow speaking with minimal interferences.
Remain in position (be retentive).
 

Mouth formed or Boil and Bite Mouthguard

These are the most common guard now used by athletes. The perceived advantage is that they will be more "custom". In fact, this supposed advantage is in most cases actually a large disadvantage. The procedure is to boil the thermoplastic guard, insert it into the mouth and then by using biting pressure - mould it into position. The problem occurs mostly from the fact that biting into the guard decreases the thickness dramatically - thus decreasing the tooth and concussion protection.

Several studies have shown that mouthguards of this type decrease in thickness on average from 70%-95% - thus negating almost all protection for the athlete. Most people (as with the "stock" variety) do trim and otherwise adjust these type of mouthguards as an attempt to make them more comfortable and easier to tolerate. These alterations further diminish the protection. One other major problem with these are that they inadequately cover the posterior teeth (back molars). This area of coverage is VERY important in concussion prevention.

Due to the fact that most mouthguards used are of   the "boil and bite" type, most of the public assumes that mouthguards in order to perform must be bulky, nonretentive, interfere with speech and breathing. This is not the case. 

VACUUM FORMED Mouthguards
These type of guards take into consideration all the points from the "mouthguard criteria list" above.These type of guards take into consideration all the points from the "mouthguard criteria list" above.

Additional factors including the age of the athlete, allowances for erupting permanent teeth, type of sport being played, etc can all be taken into account when planning a custom guard. None of these are possible in the stock or boil-and-bite type guards.

This type of mouthguard is far superior to the stock and boil-and-bite type mouthguards.

Your dentist makes this type of guard. Most often an impression (mould) of the upper teeth is made and poured into stone. A sheet of mouthguard material is then heated and vacuumed over the stone model. The excess material is trimmed and the guard is polished for delivery.

The vacuum machines used for this type of guard are very adequate for these single layer guards but now research is showing that multiple layered (pressure laminated) guards are preferred over these single-layer ones.

 

Pressure Laminated Mouthguard
These custom mouthguards are made with the same mould taken for the single-layered except a special machine presses multiple layers of guard material over the models so as to build even more protection into the guard.

The increased thickness is the most important aspect to these type guards. As the thickness increases, the materials will absorb greater forces and distribute them much more efficently. Also, this increased thickness does a great deal to decrease the incidence of concussion related injuries.

Another important point to make is that although these are markedly more thick than the single-layered guards, they are NOT uncomfortable to wear nor do they feel bulky.

Some dentists have the special machines to fabricate these in their offices. Most commonly the models are sent to a dental laboratory that will fabricate a pressure laminated mouthguard.

We highly recommend the custom made (multiple-layered) mouthguard type for the very best in oral/facial protection as well as concussion prevention.
 

 

How Should I... ?

Who...?

Impact mouthguards or your local dentist

 

Can you have... ?

Impact mouthguards can be made to fit over orthodontic equipment, but any mouthguard made for this purpose will not be tightly fitting, since the teeth are constantly moving. Our technicians will be able to allow for some movement of the teeth; however, replacement of the mouthguard is recommended more often to ensure correct fit.

 

Why don't  kids... ?

Parents are sometimes uninformed about the level of contact and potential for serious dental injuries involved with sports in which the child participates. Some, though not all schools, reinforce the health advantage of mouthguards for their contact sports. Cost may be another consideration, although mouthguards come in a variety of price ranges.

Mouthguards should be checked regularly throughout the season for tears, distortion or bite-though. Frequency of replacement will depend on the use and quality of care. A child's mouthguard should be replaced more often as the loss of 'baby' teeth and growth of new teeth will lessen the effectiveness due to improper fit.