A mouthguard is made of soft plastic or laminate material that protects the teeth, lips, cheeks, and tongue. It is highly important that children or adults involved in sports wear mouthguards.

TYPES OF MOUTHGUARDS

There are four different types of mouthguards that you can choose from to protect both children and adult teeth in sport:

Stock mouthguards — These mouthguards can be worn without any preparation to the mouth guard itself. They are offered in small, medium and large sizes, and can be purchased at an athletic or sporting goods store. They tend to wear quickly and may need to be replaced during the sports season.

Boil and bite mouthguards — These mouthguards are boiled in water for a period of time and then formed to the teeth by applying pressure. They are available through most athletic and sporting goods stores. They tend to wear quickly and may need to be replaced during the sports season.

Vacuum-formed mouthguards — The dentist can offer patients this option in the dental office. The dentist would take a dental impression of the patient’s mouth and then the mouthguard is fabricated to fit the impression of the teeth. This type of mouthguard covers all teeth and may be more expensive than the boil and bite and stock mouthguards.

Pressure-laminated mouthguards — The laminated mouth guards provide many benefits in protecting the mouth. The mouthguard is thicker and provides protection against dental injury or concussion. The laminated mouth guard must be custom-made by a dentist and will be more expensive than the vacuum formed mouthguards.

Please talk to your dental professional about mouth guards and how they can help you reduce oral injuries. If you are an athlete, consider having a vacuum-formed or pressure-laminated mouth guard made that will fit you exclusively.

WHO NEEDS A MOUTHGUARD?

Mouthguards should be used by anyone – children and adults – who play contact sports such as football, boxing, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey. However, even those participating in non-contact sports (for example gymnastics) and any recreational activity (for example skateboarding, mountain biking) that might pose a risk of injury to the mouth would benefit from wearing a protective mouthguard.

Adults and children who grind their teeth at night should have a nocturnal bite plate or bite splint made to prevent tooth damage.

CARING FOR MOUTHGUARDS

1. Rinse your mouthguard with cold water or with a mouth rinse before and after each use or clean it with a mild soap and a toothbrush.

2. Clean the mouthguard in cool, soapy water and rinse it thoroughly.

3. Place the mouthguard in a firm, perforated container to store or transport it. This permits air circulation and helps to prevent damage. If the mouthguard is acrylic, keep it in fresh, clean water.

4. Protect the mouthguard from high temperatures — such as hot water, hot surfaces, or direct sunlight — to minimise distorting its shape.

5. Occasionally check the mouthguard for general wear. If you find holes or tears in it, or if it becomes loose or causes discomfort, replace it.

6. Bring the mouthguard to each regularly scheduled dental visit to have your dentist examine it.

Dr Sharon Robinson DDS has offices at the Dental Place Cosmetix Spa located at Shop #5, Winchester Business Centre, 15 Hope Road, Kingston 10. Dr Robinson is an adjunct lecturer at the University of Technology, Jamaica, School of Oral Health Sciences. She may be contacted at 630-4710. Like their Facebook page, Dental Place Cosmetix Spa, for an opportunity to take advantage of weekly specials.