Athletic Mouthguards

Staying active is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, but many sports and recreational activities come with a risk of dental injury. Whether playing contact sports or enjoying weekend activities, protecting the teeth and jaw is essential. A sports mouthguard can help reduce the risk of damage while supporting overall oral health and safety.

At Oakwood Dental in Bucyrus, Ohio, we help patients of all ages find the right solution for protecting their smiles during athletic activity. Our team, including Dr. Attila Nagy and Dr. Michelle Nagy, focuses on prevention and education so patients can stay active while reducing the risk of dental trauma.

What Is an Athletic Mouthguard?

An athletic mouthguard is a dental device made of plastic and worn over the teeth to protect them during athletic activities. Athletic mouthguards are also sometimes called sports guards or simply mouthguards.

Why It’s Important To Protect Yourself With an Athletic Mouthguard

Certain activities can put your teeth, mouth, and face at an increased risk of injury either by falling or being hit with an object. These types of injuries can damage the teeth and jawbone. They also put soft tissues like the lips, cheeks, and tongue at risk of injury. Additionally, impact injuries can also cause concussions if, during the impact, the upper and lower teeth bite down exceptionally hard.

Athletic mouthguards help protect the teeth, mouth, soft tissues, and head from sports-related injuries by absorbing the shock of the impact when a person falls down, is tackled, or gets hit with an object like a ball or a hockey stick.

Types of Mouthguards and How They Work

There are several types of mouthguards available, and each type of mouthguard offers a different level of protection and comfort. Understanding the differences can help patients choose what works best for their needs.

Stock mouthguards are pre-formed and ready to wear. While they are easy to find, they often do not provide a secure or comfortable fit. This can limit their effectiveness during high-impact sports activities.

Boil-and-bite mouthguards are made from thermoplastic material. These are softened in hot water and then shaped to the teeth. While they offer a better fit than stock options, they still may not provide maximum protection.

Custom mouthguards are made using impressions of your teeth. These dental impressions allow for a precise design that fits the unique anatomy of your teeth. Custom guards are typically made from durable materials like ethylene vinyl acetate or vinyl acetate, which provide better shock absorption and a more secure fit.

Benefits of Athletic Mouthguards

Wearing mouth guards during sports activities offers several important benefits for both children and adults.

• Reduced Risk Of Dental Injury: Mouth protectors help lower the chances of chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth. This can help prevent tooth loss and reduce the need for emergency dental visits.
• Protection Of Soft Tissues: A sports mouthguard helps protect the lips, cheeks, and tongue from cuts and soft tissue injuries during impact.
• Support For Jaw And Head Safety: By absorbing impact forces, mouth guards may help reduce the risk of jaw injuries and mild traumatic brain injury in some situations.
• Improved Athletic Performance: A properly fitted mouthguard can feel comfortable and allow for easier breathing and speaking, helping athletes stay focused during team sports.
• Long-Term Oral Health Benefits: Preventing dental trauma supports long-term oral health and may reduce the need for more complex dental treatments later.

What to Expect When Getting Custom Mouthguards

Getting custom mouthguards at our office in Bucyrus is a simple and comfortable process. During the visit, we take dental impressions to capture the exact shape of the teeth. These impressions of your teeth are used to create a custom mouth guard that offers a perfect fit.

Once the mouthguard is ready, we ensure it fits properly and feels comfortable. Adjustments can be made if needed so patients feel confident wearing it during athletic activity.

Custom mouthguards are especially helpful for patients with orthodontic appliances, as they can be designed to fit safely over braces or other devices.

Who Should Wear an Athletic Mouthguard?

We recommend athletic mouthguards for anyone participating in physical activities that put the teeth, face, mouth, jawbone, or head at risk of injury. These activities include contact sports, sports that use objects (like balls, bats, or sticks), and activities that could result in a person getting injured during a fall.

Some of the sports and activities during which we recommend wearing a sports guard include:

1. Baseball
2. Basketball
3. Football
4. Gymnastics
5. Hockey
6. Horseback riding
7. Lacrosse
8. Mountain biking
9. Rollerblading or rollerskating
10. Skateboarding

In addition to these, activities like martial arts, ice hockey, and other contact sports can also increase the risk of dentofacial injuries. Both recreational activities and organized team sports can benefit from the use of mouthguards. A custom-made athletic mouthguard is more expensive, but it offers the absolute best fit available because it is designed specifically for the person who will be wearing it. Custom-designed mouthguards offer a perfectly comfortable fit and can even be designed to fit comfortably and safely over orthodontic appliances like braces.

Caring for Your Mouthguard

Proper care helps extend the life of a sports mouth guard and ensures it continues to provide protection.

• Rinse After Each Use: Cleaning the mouthguard with cool water after use helps remove debris and bacteria.
• Avoid Hot Temperatures: Keep the mouthguard away from hot water and direct sunlight, as heat can warp the material and affect the fit.
• Store Safely: Use a ventilated case to keep the mouthguard clean and protected when not in use.
• Check For Signs Of Wear: Look for cracks, thinning areas, or changes in fit. These signs of wear may mean it is time for a replacement.
• Follow Manufacturer Instructions: If using boil-and-bite options, always follow manufacturer instructions carefully to maintain proper shape and fit.

The Role of Sports Dentistry in Injury Prevention

Sports dentistry focuses on preventing and treating dental injuries related to athletic activity. According to the American Dental Association, the use of mouthguards is an important step in protecting oral health during sports.

Research supported by organizations like the American College of Prosthodontists shows that properly fitted mouthguards can reduce the risk of dental trauma and other injuries. This makes them an important part of public health efforts for athletes of all ages.

How Mouthguards Support Different Sports

Different sports create different levels of risk, which is why choosing the right type of mouthguard matters.

Contact sports players often need maximum protection due to frequent impact. A custom mouthguard is often recommended in these cases.

Basketball players and ice hockey players may benefit from a comfortable fit that allows easy breathing and communication.

High school football athletes and others involved in intense sports activities may require durable athletic mouth protectors that can withstand repeated impact forces.

Athletic Mouthguards and Long-Term Protection

Wearing mouth guards regularly during sports activities can help prevent long-term damage to the teeth and jaw. Over time, repeated impacts without protection can lead to serious issues, including dental trauma and damage to the anatomy of your teeth.

Custom guards provide a more reliable solution for patients who want consistent protection during athletic performance. While no device can prevent every injury, many patients experience fewer dental issues when using a properly fitted mouthguard.