MOUTHGUARDS

Mouthguards protect against injuries to the teeth and lips. They have been shown to reduce forces that may cause teeth to fracture or be knocked out, concussions, neck injuries, and jaw fractures. The purpose of a mouthguard then, is to reduce the incidence and severity of injuries during sports and athletic activities of any type.

Studies have shown that when injuries occurred to the mouth, 75% of them occurred while not wearing mouthguards and of this total, 40% occurred during baseball and basketball.

Due to the diversity of sports that can produce oral trauma, it is recommended that mouthguards be worn by all participants. Some examples are baseball, basketball, boxing, hockey, soccer, racquetball, tennis, lacrosse, karate, judo, volleyball, touch and contact football, bicycling, gymnastics, skating, and skate boarding.

There are three types of mouthguards: stock, mouth-formed and custom made. Although the custom made model is preferable in fit and comfort, it is important that athletes use some kind of mouth protectors.