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Dental Mouth Guards
Because accidents can happen during any physical activity, the use of mouth guards limits the risk of mouth-related injuries to the lips, tongue, and soft tissues of the mouth. They can also help to avoid a chipped or broken tooth, nerve damage to a tooth or even tooth loss.
Types of Mouth Guards
Mouth guards are coverings worn over teeth used to protect teeth from injury from teeth grinding and during sports activities. There are three different types of mouth guards: stock mouth guards, boil and bite mouth guards and custom fitted mouth guards.
1. Stock Mouth Guards
These mouth guards are pre-formed and come ready to wear. Relatively inexpensive, they can be purchased at most sporting good and department stores. Because they are prefabricated, they cannot be adjusted. They are also known to be bulky, tend to make breathing and talking difficult and they provide little or no protection against injury. As such, the stock mouth guard is not usually recommended for use by dental providers.
2. Boil and Bite Mouth Guards
Boil and bite dental mouth guards offer a better fit than stock mouth guards. They can also be purchased at many sporting good stores. This type of mouth guards is made from thermoplastic material that when placed in hot water, softens and is then inserted into the mouth. It usually adapts to the shape of your mouth by using finger and tongue pressure. If directions are not followed carefully, the result may be a poor fitting dental mouth guard.
3. Custom-Fitted Dental Mouth Guards
Custom fitted dental mouth guards are individually designed and made in a dental office or a dental laboratory. To design a custom fitted mouth guard, an impression is made of your teeth and a then the mouth guard is then molded over the model using a special material. Because of the use of special material and the time involved, custom-made dental mouth guards are more expensive than the Stockton and Boil and Bite types, yet it provides the best fit and comfort protection.
Generally, dental mouth guards are used to cover the maxillary (upper) teeth only, but in some instances, individuals wear them on the lower teeth as well. Your dentist will suggest the best mouth guard for your particular need. An effective mouth guard should be comfortable, resist tears, be durable and easy to clean, and should not restrict breathing or speech. If an individual grinds their teeth at night, a mouth guard-type of dental appliance called a nocturnal bite plate or bite splint, may be created to prevent tooth damage.
Dental mouth guards should be used by anyone who plays contact sports such as football, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, etc. Even those individuals who participate in non contact sports (e.g., cheerleading, gymnastics) and any recreational activity that poses a risk of injury to the mouth would benefit from wearing a mouth guard.
Dental Mouth Guards and Braces
A dental mouth guard is particularly important for those who wear braces or have fixed bridge work, particularly because an injury to the face could damage orthodontic brackets or the fixed appliances. A dental mouth guard also provides a barrier between the braces and the cheek or lips, limiting the risk of any soft tissue injuries. Your dentist can determine the best type of mouth guard protection for your circumstance.
Caring for Dental Mouth Guards
Rinse your dental mouth guard with cold water or with a mouth rinse before and after each use and/or clean it with toothpaste and a toothbrush.
Occasionally soak the dental mouth guard in cool, soapy water, then rinse thoroughly.
Place the dental mouth guard in a firm, perforated container when it is not in use or you need to transport it. This type of storage will allow for air circulation and help prevent damage to the appliance.
Do not expose the dental mouth guard to high temperatures (e.g, hot water, hot surfaces, or direct sunlight). Doing so may distort its shape.
Check the dental mouth guard for general wear. If you notice any holes or tearing or if it becomes loose and causes discomfort, it needs to be replaced.
Bring the dental mouth guard to each regularly scheduled dental visit so that the appliance is also examined by your dental provider.
In summary, you should use dental mouth guards during any activity that could result in injury to the face or mouth. Properly fitted dental mouth guards help prevent broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw. It stays in place while you are wearing it, and does not interfere with speaking and breathing. Talk to your dentist about having a custom dental mouth guard made specifically for you. Get one of the best protections for your smile.
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Wishing you well with your dental needs, The Dental Clinic Manager
Following are two articles based upon the ADA Recommendation on the use of Mouth Guards in Local Schools.
Article One
CHICAGO, August 9, 2005—Each year, more than 3.5 million children, age 14 and under are injured while playing sports or participating in recreational activities.
As part of the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) annual back-to-school health promotion, when some 6 million high school students plan their participation in team sports, both health organizations remind parents that the use of mouth guards can help protect children from mouth injuries.
Mouth guards help cushion blows that might otherwise cause broken teeth, and injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw. They also may reduce the severity and incidence of concussions. If a child wears braces or another fixed dental appliance on their lower jaw, the dentist may suggest a mouth protector for those teeth as well.
Kids suffer thousands of injuries each year on the playing field, the basketball court or while skateboarding, biking or during other activities.
"Injuries to the face from participating in a sport or other recreational activity can harm your child's teeth, lips, cheeks and tongue, but a properly fitted mouth guard can help protect your child's smile," says Edmond Hewlett, D.D.S., an ADA consumer advisor and associate professor at UCLA's School of Dentistry.
"In addition to mouth guards, be sure your child wears all the appropriate protective equipment made for their sport, such as shin pads, wrist guards, eye protection, and helmet, adds AAP President Carol Berkowitz, M.D., FAAP. Always consult your pediatrician on the sport that is right for your child's age and abilities."
"In the past few years, since high schools and colleges began to require mouth guards and face masks for football, about 200,000 injuries to the mouth and face have been prevented each year," says Dr. Hewlett.
Article Two
ADA Says Mouth guard Important Piece of Children's Athletic Gear
CHICAGO, February 2002 -- If your child participates in organized sports or recreational activities, there's always the risk of injury, including to the mouth, according to the American Dental Association (ADA) as February marks its 53rd Annual National Children's Dental Health Month.
But a properly fitted mouth guard or mouth protector can help protect your child's smile, says ADA Consumer Adviser Matthew Messina, D.D.S., a Cleveland-area general dentist. "It is an important piece of athletic gear."
You may have seen mouth guards used in contact sports, particularly in football, boxing, ice hockey, lacrosse and field hockey, Dr. Messina explains. "They help cushion blows that might otherwise cause broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw. They also may reduce the severity and incidence of concussions."
"But you don't have to be on the football field or in a hockey rink to benefit from a properly fitted mouth guard," Dr. Messina says. "Findings in sports dentistry show that even in non-contact sports, such as gymnastics, mouth guards will help protect participants. Many experts recommend that everyone-from children to adults-wear a mouth guard during any recreational activity that might pose a risk of injury to the mouth."
CHOOSING A MOUTHGUARD
There are three types of mouth guards:
• The ready-made, or stock, mouth guard • The mouth-formed "boil-and-bite" mouth guard • The custom-made mouth guard made by your dentist
All three mouth guards provide protection, but they vary in comfort and cost.
The most effective mouth guard should be resilient, tear-resistant and comfortable. It should fit properly, be durable and easy to clean, and not restrict your speech or breathing. Generally, a mouth guard covers only the upper teeth, but in some cases the dentist will make a mouth guard for the lower teeth as well. Your dentist can suggest the right mouth guard.
CARING FOR YOUR MOUTHGUARD
Before and after each use, rinse it with cold water or with a mouth rinse. You can clean it with toothpaste and a toothbrush.
Occasionally clean the mouth guard in cool, soapy water and rinse it thoroughly.
Place the mouth guard in a firm, perforated container to store or transport it. This permits air circulation and helps to prevent damage.
To minimize distortion, avoid high temperatures, such as hot water, hot surfaces or direct sunlight.
Like any other sports gear, a mouth guard will wear out, making it less effective. If your mouth guard has holes or tears or becomes loose, it can irritate the teeth and oral tissues. Occasionally check the mouth guard's condition and replace it as necessary.
"Schedule regular dental check-ups and bring your child's mouth guard to each dental visit," advises Dr. Messina.
National Children's Dental Health Month is the only national children's dental health promotion recognized by the ADA and its state and local dental societies."
