Health & Fitness

Protective Athletic Mouth Guards

Football and soccer seasons are upon us, a time when sports-related oral and dental injuries are commonplace. School-age children are the most vulnerable, but adults are also at risk. Boil and bite-type products provide minimal protection. They do not protect as well as what the professional athletes use. Your dentist is the first place to go for treatment options.

Q: What is a professional grade mouth guard?

A: These are custom-made devices. An impression is taken of your mouth. The impression is poured to make a model. This model is used to vacuum fit a rubber/plastic-reinforced material just for you. These are more desirable than those purchased at the sporting goods store, with better retention, uniform thickness, less bulk, ability to adjust.  They do not hamper breathing or communicating, and do not create hazards to the airway or mouth.

Q: What are the different types of protective mouth guards?

A: Stock, pre-formed, and ready to wear; boil and bite (softened in hot water, inserted and adapted to the mouth), and custom-fitted (individually fitted and adjusted by a dentist).

Q: What sports require guards?

A: The National Federation of State High School Associations mandates use in football, field and ice hockey and lacrosse. The American Dental Association “recommends that athletically active people of all ages use a properly fitted mouth guard in any sporting or recreational activity that may pose risk of an injury.” This includes use in almost 30 sports.

Q: Can I get a special color?

A: Myriad solid colors are available, with even two color or three stripes available. If a specific color is desired, it is helpful for several team members or even the whole team to have these done at the same time for color match. Helmet attachments are available.

Q: How expensive are these protective athletic mouth guards?

A: Guards are not a whole lot more expensive than traditionally used ones; the savings is the significant amount of damage they can prevent.

Q: What do I do if my tooth is knocked loose or completely out?

A: It is important to see the dentist for evaluation after an accident. Even if the teeth are knocked completely out, they can sometimes be put back in. However, they may require root canals and crowns.

CARE FOR TRAUMA EXTRACTED TEETH ARE AS FOLLOWS:

If dirty rinse them off with pure clean water. Do not brush or wipe them, leave the cells needed for reattachment.

Place back in the victim’s mouth (cheek area works well) if at all possible. Remember, don’t swallow them.

If the above is not possible, store in a glass of milk or a wet napkin inside a Zip-Lock bag and call your dentist as soon as possible. The best success in re-implanting lost teeth occurs within the first 30 minutes.

More importantly, wear those custom fit mouthguards, because prevention is the best solution.