Mouth Guards in Sports

Athletes who participate in sports that present a significant amount of injury risk should wear a mouth guard or mouth protector during games. Some of the sports which require some type of mouth protection are hockey, football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics. Mouth guards, which are stiff cushioned moulds that fit over a person’s upper teeth, provide both support and padding for an athlete’s teeth and jaw. When an athlete receives a blow to the head or face, the mouth guard would be able to reduce the risk of broken teeth and other types of mouth injuries such as lacerations inside the mouth.

The most important consideration when selecting a mouth guard is its fit. It must stay securely and firmly in place during the game while allowing the athlete to comfortably breathe and talk. There are different types of mouth guards which can be purchased. For example, athletes can buy off-the-shelf mouth guards from most stores which are pre-formed and ready to wear. Another type of mouth guard is the boil and bite variety which can provide athletes with a better fit when they boil it in order to soften the mouth guard and then bite down on it to shape it. Finally, athletes can get the best fit when they order custom mouth guards from their dentists since these items are made especially to meet their requirements.

Be sure to get the right mouth guards when you engage in sports since these devices can be very useful in protecting your mouth from various injuries.