By Dr Sharonne Zaks
Dental injuries are the most common facial injuries from sporting activities. More than 5 million teeth are knocked out each year due to sporting accidents and in many cases this can be attributed to the absence of a guard or a poorly fitting mouthguard.
Why wear a mouthguard?
- Mouthguards dont just protect the teeth: research has shown custom made mouthguards also protect the lips, cheeks, jaw bones,face, reduce damage to the brain from the shock of the jaws jarring together. Custom mouthguards have been proven to reduce the incidence of concussion and neck injuries.
- Research has shows athletes feel more confident and perform better when wearing a mouthguard.
- The cost of a guard is way less than the cost of injury to the teeth/jaw (cost meaning money, time off school/work, emotional and more) Injuries are often painful and disfiguring and need complex treatments to fix that often commit a person to a lifetime of dental treatment.
Which mouthguard; custom made or over the counter?
- Over the counter (‘boil and bite’) mouthguards have been shown by extensive research to be far less effective and provide only very low level protection than custom mouthguards. They dont provide the correct thickness of material and often require clenching pressure to keep them in place. If the mouthguard becomes unseated it can cause airway obstruction and concussion has been shown to occur while wearing these guards.
- The ADA strongly recommends wearing a custom mouthguard. They allow clear speech and dont restrict breathing, shift or fall out like over the counter mouthguards do.
- Custom guards are made to suit the needs of the individual; research has shown different sports are associated with different injuries from different directions eg falls vs elbows Mouthguards have different designs to suit.
- They last significantly longer than over the counter guards and are tear resistant, odourless and tasteless.
How are they made?
Custom mouthguards are made by dentists and some dental technicians. The mouth is assessed as sometimes cleaning or fillings need to be completed first. The specific needs of your activity direct the material, thickness and exact design of the guard. Impressions of the teeth are then taken which are used to make very accurate stone models of your mouth. This allows a very intimate fit of the guard which makes it very comfortable. Two short visits are required; one for the impressions and the next to fit the mouthguard. Up to 3 colours can be used and the person’s name printed in the mouthguard so it doesnt wash off.How do I care for my mouthguard?
- Rinse in cold water after use
- Store in a rigid plastic container
- Keep out of direct sunlight; mouthguards will
change shape in high temperatures - Occasionally rinse your mouthguard in a
mouthwash - Have your mouthguard assessed by your
dentist at your regular dental exam - Replace your mouthguard if it gets damaged
In my opinion custom mouthguards should be mandatory, just like other essential pieces of sporting equipment (eg helmets) for athletes of all ages and abilities. Prevention is always the best!
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