Mouthguards: Why Athletes Need Them

School is back in session, which means the fall sports season is well underway.  In many contact sports there is a chance for injury to the player's teeth, lips, tongue, face or jaw.  A properly fitting mouthguard can help minimize or prevent these injuries.  

Mouthguards usually are fitted over the upper teeth, which can reduce a blow to the face by an opponent, ball or stick.  Accidents like this can result in broken teeth or damage to the soft tissues of your mouth like your tongue, lips and gums. Injuries to the mouth are one of the harsh realities of playing a contact sport, such as football, hockey, basketball, baseball, field hockey, lacrosse or even gymnastics.

So you think…I break a tooth and it can be fixed- no big deal.  It's not always as simple as that.  Sometimes the fracture goes so far that the nerve of the tooth becomes involved, and if that happens, root canal therapy is necessary.  Or maybe the tooth was completely knocked out, which can result in tooth loss.

When it comes to choosing a mouthguard there are three options:

• Stock type.  These are inexpensive and pre-formed and can be found at most sporting goods stores.  Since they are general fit rather than molded to your mouth they can be quite bulky, which makes breathing and speaking a little harder.  

• Boil and Bite. These are a step up from stock mouthguards.  This type can also be found at sporting good stores and offers a slightly better fit at a still reasonable price.  After purchase, these mouthguards are softened in boiling water then inserted into the mouth which allows for adaptation to the teeth and soft tissue structures.  It is important to follow the directions that come with the mouthguard to get the best fit possible. 

•  Custom-fitted.  These are made by your dentist and are the most expensive type because they are made for you personally. 

If you wear braces or have fixed bridge work this is all the reason needed to get a mouthguard.  If you receive a blow to your face during a sporting event, you can damage your braces or fixed bridge.  Typically mouthguards cover the upper teeth only, but if you wear braces a guard for your lower teeth may be made also. If you wear a retainer or removable partial denture it's important to remove it during a sporting game to prevent injury to yourself or damage to the dental appliance.

I played field hockey throughout middle school and high school, a sport which requires all players to wear a mouthguard.  More than once over the years my mouthguard helped protect my teeth when I was hit with a ball or stick.

A properly fitted mouthguard should stay in place, thus making it easy to talk and breathe.  It is important to wear the mouthguard not only for games but also during practices.   Talk to your dentist or orthodontist about choosing a mouthguard that is best for you.