Canadian Dental Association Says Mouth Guards Are An Important Piece of Athletic Gear

Injury of risk is nearly two times greater without mouth protection.  If you participate in organized sports or recreational activities, there’s always the risk of injury to the mouth, says the American Dental Association (ADA).

Injury risk nearly two times greater
According to a 2007 evaluation of the effectiveness of mouth guards in reducing injuries, the overall injury risk was 1.6 to 1.9 times greater without a mouth guard, relative to the use of mouth guards during athletic activity. Another study of collegiate basketball teams found that athletes wearing custom-made mouth guards sustained significantly fewer dental injuries than those who did not.

“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 explains. “Findings in sports dentistry show that even in non-contact sports, such as gymnastics, mouth guards will help protect participants, and 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, including practice and training sessions.”

For sporting activities that are inherently contact-oriented (e.g., football), orofacial protectors or faceguards are also appropriate for added safety and protection. The ADA has endorsed the preventive value of orofacial protectors, including helmets, faceguards and mouth protectors, for use by participants in sporting and recreational activities with some degree of injury risk and at all levels of competition.

Choosing a Mouth Guard
While custom mouth guards, considered by many to be the most protective option, other mouth guards can be effective if they fit well, are worn properly and stay in place. The primary mouth guard types include:

• A custom-fitted regular or orthodontic mouth guard made by your orthodontist
• An orthodontic mouth guard to be used with braces
• A Shock Doctor Braces Mouth guard

DO NOT use a boil n bite mouth guard if you wear braces! The boil n bite mouth guards will get stuck on your braces and pull the braces off your teeth when you remove the mouth guard!

Athletic mouth guards provide protection, but 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 orthodontist will make a mouth guard for the lower teeth as well. Patients can seek the assistance of an orthodontist to ensure proper mouth guard thickness and adequate protection in critical areas, based on the sporting activity.

Like any other sports gear, a mouth guard will wear out, making it less effective. If your mouth guard has holes or tears, or if it becomes loose, it can irritate the teeth and oral tissues. Occasionally check the mouth guard’s condition and replace it as necessary.

Below are the types of mouth guards that Langley Orthodontics recommends:

Custom Braces Mouth Guard Please call our office to schedule an appointment. Impressions will need to be taken of your teeth so that we may custom fit your mouth guard. mouth guards are usually available for pick up within 5-7 days.

Non-Custom Braces Mouth Guard Please stop by the office anytime to pick up a non-custom braces mouth guard.

Shock Doctor Braces Mouth Guard Available at most sporting goods stores in the mouthguard section.