KCCDHN
Mouth Protectors
Actually mouth protectors, commonly known as mouthguards protect more than just the mouth and associated tissues such as the lips, teeth, tongue and cheeks. They may also prevent or minimize such injuries to the head and neck as concussions, jaw fractures, cerebral hemorrhage, and even death by separating the jaws and preventing the condyles from being displaced in a superior/posterior direction against the wall of the glenoid fossa during impact or injury.
The majority of head injuries in contact sports occur to the mouth. Since maxillary anterior (upper front) teeth protrude the most, they are the most vulnerable to sustain an injury after the nose. Maxillary anterior teeth often take the brunt of most frontal head injuries and receive the force of impact subjecting them to such injuries as fractures, evulsions (knocked out teeth), intrusion (caused by the compression of the root into alveolar bone), and displacement (knocked out of normal position).
Although mouthguards are not required equipment for many sports, wearing one is an important precaution for anyone participating in any activity that carries a significant risk of injury. Many people think that mouth protectors are recommended only for contact sports like football. In fact, nearly half of sports-related mouth injuries occur in basketball and baseball; and, so called non-contact sports have doubled the number of dental-related injuries! Any time you or your child is actively involved in a sport that involves contact or the possibility of falling, wearing a mouthguard is strongly recommended to prevent injuries to the teeth, lip, cheeks, and tongue.
In addition to football, basketball, and baseball, a list of activities where a mouthguard should be considered, if not required, are the following:
• Soccer
• Rugby
• Wrestling
• Softball
• Lacrosse
• Field or Ice Hockey
• Martial Arts
• Boxing
• Gymnastics
• Bicycling
• Cheerleading
• Trampoline
• Skateboarding
• Volley ballMouth protectors should be a part of your child’s protective equipment. However, it does not take the place of other protective equipment, such as face masks. All appropriately recommended protective equipment should be worn during the sport or activity.
Obviously, different sports involve different levels of risk and injury. Your dentist can help you choose the right type of mouth protector for you or your child’s preferred sport. Not every mouthguard is created equal and will vary in fit, protection, ease of maintenance, and longevity. In general, a mouthguard should last for one season before it needs replacing. However, young children not only grow in physical size, but they also loose baby teeth; and, as their permanent teeth grow in, they might require a new mouthguard more frequently. There are three main types of mouthguards:
• Ready Made Stock: These are the least expensive and are purchased, ready-made, off the shelf in most sporting goods stores. They are also the least comfortable, and offer the least amount of protection since they do not “fit” the individual’s mouth at all. They can be bulky and can make breathing and talking difficult. These are not recommended in the dental literature.
• Mouth-Formed: These are generally made of acrylic gel or thermoplastic materials that can be shaped to fit the contours of an individual’s teeth by softening them in hot water, put into the mouth, and formed or molded to the mouth and teeth as it cools. If the directions are not carefully followed, there may be a poor result. These are commercially produced and do not offer the same fit and protection as a custom made guard.
• Custom-Made: The dentist makes a cast model of the person’s teeth and then a mouthguard is formed to fit. Because they are formed to fit the individual, the mouthguard stays in place at the moment of impact, which cushions the teeth and provides better protection. Besides offering more protection, they are more comfortable to wear and do not interfere with talking or breathing; thus, they are more likely to be worn instead of being left in the locker room! Although they are more expensive, they can save thousands of dollars in dental and medical bills, not to mention the pain and suffering sustained from an injury.
Your dentist can help you to decide which mouthguard is best for your child and will instruct you in its care. But, in general, you will want to clean the mouthguard after each use by washing it in soap and warm (not hot!) water or mouthwash. You can also soak it in a denture cleaner. Rinse, allow to air dry, and store in a well-ventilated plastic storage box when not in use. Not cleaning your mouthguard regularly will allow bacteria and other germs to grow and may put the wearer at risk for infections. Other recommendations include:
• Do not leave it in direct sunlight or in a closed automobile (heat can change the shape of the mouthguard).
• Don’t bend or alter the mouthguard. If changes need to be made for it to fit better, have your dentist make the adjustment.
• The condition of your child’s mouthguard should also be checked periodically by your dentist during regular visits, especially if your child has a tendency to chew it.
• Do not let your child wear someone else’s mouthguard!Exercise and playing sports is not only fun, but it is a part of staying healthy and in good physical shape. At the same time, protection against injury just makes sense in order to stay in one piece and in the game. Each year hundreds of thousands of injuries occur each year to the face and mouth that many times could have been prevented or minimized with a mouthguard. Don’t let your child suffer from one of them!
www.cda.org/popup/Mouth_Guards
www.pdsm.org/care_mouthguards.htm
www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/mouthpro.asp
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