INTRODUCTION
Sports Guards: An Effective Way to Protect Your Oral Health
A sports guard is a flexible appliance that is worn during athletic and recreational activities to protect teeth from trauma. Our office supports the use of sports guards for children and adults in various sports activities. A sports guard can prevent serious injuries such as broken teeth, jaw fractures, cerebral hemorrhage, and neck injuries by helping to avoid situations where the lower jaw gets jammed into the upper jaw. Sports guards may also reduce the incidence and severity of concussions. Anytime there is a strong chance for contact with other participants or hard surfaces, it is advisable to wear a sports guard.
FEATURES
Types of Sports Guards
A sports guard is a flexible appliance that is worn during athletic and recreational activities to protect teeth from trauma. Our office supports the use of sports guards for children and adults in various sports activities. A sports guard can prevent serious injuries such as broken teeth, jaw fractures, cerebral hemorrhage, and neck injuries by helping to avoid situations where the lower jaw gets jammed into the upper jaw. Sports guards may also reduce the incidence and severity of concussions. Anytime there is a strong chance for contact with other participants or hard surfaces, it is advisable to wear a sports guard.
The Three Types
Ready-Made Sports Guards
1
These are the most economical and can be bought at most sports stores. Sometimes, they make it difficult to breathe and speak and are often bulky, loose, and uncomfortable. That's why it is important to select the right size sports guard when buying them.
Boil-and-Bite Sports Guards
2
These mouthguards or sports guards are available at most sporting goods stores and may offer a slightly better fit. You can mold these guards to fit your mouth by boiling them in water.
Custom-Fitted Sports Guard
3
Our office can design and construct a custom-fitted sports guard made from a mold of your teeth. While this type of guard is more expensive than others, it offers the best protection, fit, comfort level, and prevention of possible injury.
AFTERCARE
How to Take Care of Your Sports Guards
You can take care of your sports guards by following some simple steps so they can last longer and protect your oral health. Make sure to clean your sports guard with a separate toothbrush and store it in a sports guard case. Never use warm water on your sports guard, as this might change its shape. Never take off your mouthguard with your tongue and do not chew on it. If your sports guard is loose or has chips or cracks, take it to your dentist at our Beaches practice so we can examine it or suggest getting a new one.
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SYMPTOMS
Risks of Not Wearing Sports Guards
Maintaining good oral health is essential for the normal functioning of life. While playing sports or during physical activities, people are at higher risk of encountering oral injuries. If a person is not wearing mouthguards while playing sports, they can cause severe damage to their teeth, gums, and jaws, causing a dental emergency.
Injuries that can happen without a sports guard
• Chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth
• Nerve and root damage to the teeth
• Cheek injuries, such as bruising or cuts
• Fractured jaws
• Fractured crowns and bridgework
• Concussions Players who participate in hockey, soccer, basketball, softball, football, martial arts, volleyball, squash, racquetball, and wrestling should wear sports guards while practicing and competing.
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BENEFITS
Fit, materials, and what to expect.
How is a custom sports guard made?
Making a custom sports guard takes two short visits. At the first visit, we take a quick impression or digital scan of your teeth. This is sent to a dental lab where your guard is custom-crafted to fit your teeth precisely. At your second visit, usually a week or two later, we check the fit, make any small adjustments, and give you care instructions. The result is a guard that fits comfortably, protects better than any store-bought option, and lets you breathe and speak more easily during play.
What Are Sports Guards Made Of?
Sports guards are generally made from polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate copolymer, and rubber. These sports guards are designed to fit according to the shape and size of the mouth of the wearer. However, sometimes stock versions do not fit well and cause problems while speaking or breathing. In such cases, dentists take impressions of their patient's mouths and provide custom-made mouthguards that are more durable and comfortably fitted.
Can You Sleep While Wearing Your Sports Guards?
Sports guards are differently designed from night guards and do not serve the same purpose. That's why wearing sports guards at night is never a good option, as they do not protect your teeth from clenching and grinding. For teeth grinding, an occlusal splint or night guard is the appropriate device.
How Should You Select a Sports Guard?
You should choose a mouthguard that comfortably fits in your mouth, is easy to clean, is tear-resistant, resilient, durable, and does not hinder your breathing or speech. Although mouthguards are essential devices during sports activities, sometimes they can become a reason for severe inconvenience; that's why it is necessary to keep all these factors in mind while purchasing sports guards or mouthguards.
At what age should my child start wearing a sports guard?
As soon as they're playing a sport where facial impact is possible — that can be as young as 5 or 6 for hockey, soccer, or martial arts. Kids' mouths change quickly as they grow, so custom guards for children usually need to be replaced every 1–2 years as new teeth come in and the jaw develops.
Can I talk normally while wearing a sports guard?
Custom-fitted sports guards allow much better speech than boil-and-bite versions from stores. You'll still notice it at first, but most athletes adapt within a few practices. If you find yourself unable to call plays or communicate on the field, come in — we can trim or adjust the guard for a better fit.
Do I need a sports guard if I already wear braces?
Absolutely yes — arguably even more so. Braces can cut the inside of your lips and cheeks on impact, and a broken bracket during play is both painful and expensive. We make special sports guards that fit over braces safely. Ask any orthodontist and they'll tell you the same.
How can I tell if my sports guard needs replacing?
Look for tears, thin spots, cracks, or a fit that feels looser than it used to. If it smells persistently even after cleaning, the material has probably absorbed too much bacteria to be safely used. For adult athletes, plan on a new guard every 2–3 seasons. For growing kids, likely every season.
