Protection: What you Need to Know about Mouth Guards

If you're an athlete, especially if you participate in a contact sport, you'll need a mouth guard in most cases while you're playing. However, you need to purchase a mouth guard that will be best for your protection.

Here are some suggestions on selecting the right mouth guard, as well as facts on what the guards should be used for and the injuries they can prevent.

The principal role of a mouth guard is to protect your teeth from being damaged or chipped while you are playing sports. These guards are made from plastic. The grade of plastic usually determines the quality of protection you will receive from the guard, so if your doctor recommends a certain brand, it may be best to try that brand first.

It is also important to remember that you should wear the mouth guard each time you are playing your sport, even if you are just practicing. All dentists generally agree that wearing mouth guards when playing is a good idea, since over 200,000 mouth and jaw injuries happen among athletes every year.

In addition to protecting your teeth, the mouth guard can help to protect you from other serious injuries as well. You may be able to avoid head trauma, concussions, and even neck injuries by wearing a mouth piece because the device keeps the lower jaw from being jammed into the upper jaw.

When you are searching for a mouth guard, you have a few choices to consider. You can purchase a stock mouth guard, which is a general mouth guard that you can buy in most athletic supply store. The mouth guard is standard in size, so it may or may not fit you perfectly, but it does offer some protection.

You can also get a mouth-formed mouth guard from the dentist. In order to make this mouth guard, you'll have to bite down on the shell of the mouth guard (which can include rubber of acrylic) so that the shape of your teeth can be molded into the material.

Then the mouth guard is dipped in boiling water for about 30 seconds, and immediately switched to cold water in order for the mold to set. Most athletes use this method, but the mouth guards generally do not last very long.

You can also arrange for the dentist to prepare a custom-made mouth piece for you; this mouth guard will offer you the most protection, since it is created from a cast that fits your teeth exactly.

If you want more information on how to get the best mouth guard, be sure to talk about the process with your dentist so that you can make sure you are protected when playing sports.

And remember, mouth guards are always available; you can pick one up at your local athletic store if you need an additional mouth guard in between appointments.

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