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Mouthguards help protect smiles

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  • 72nd Dental Squadron
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  There are many ways for people to take care of their teeth; brushing, flossing, fluoride, visiting the dentist and proper nutrition are some.

Unfortunately, people sometimes overlook the importance of mouthguards when participating in both contact and noncontact sports, for people of all ages.

Mouthguards significantly decrease the risk of injury when involved in sports. Dentists see more trauma to the mouth from playing sports than any other cause.

Statistics show athletes are 60 times more likely to harm the teeth if they are not wearing a mouthguard. Anyone who participates in a sport that carries a significant risk of injury should wear a mouthguard. Some activities to consider wearing mouthguards for are football, hockey, gymnastics, basketball, baseball, skateboarding, skiing and many more. It is important to remember to wear a mouthguard for both practices and games.

A mouthguard works by covering the upper teeth, although one covering the lower teeth may be recommended in some cases. A misdirected elbow in a basketball game or a spill off a bicycle can result in chipped or broken teeth, nerve damage to a tooth or even tooth loss. A mouthguard can help cushion a blow to the face that otherwise might result in an injury to the mouth. It can limit the risk of such injuries as well as protect the soft tissues of the tongue, lips and cheek lining.

There are three types of mouthguards available:

Stock -- these are pre-formed, inexpensive and available at most sporting good stores, but are the least comfortable to wear. They fit poorly, leading to a bulky feeling and difficulty with breathing and talking.

Boil and Bite -- these are also available at most sporting goods stores. They are made of a material that is placed in boiling water to soften it and then formed and molded to the teeth. It is important to follow the directions for the best fit it can provide.

Custom Made -- these are more expensive, but have been shown to offer the best type of protection. The dentist uses a mold of the teeth to fabricate these, leading to the best fit and comfort level.

An effective mouthguard should be comfortable and tear-resistant. Mouthguards wear out over time, making them less effective, so be sure to check your mouthguard for holes or tears and replace it as necessary.

To help make it last longer you must take care of it. Do not chew or cut pieces off the mouthguard and avoid high temperatures to minimize distortion. Also as a child grows, the mouthguard may no longer fit and will need to be replaced.

Remember it is important to protect your smile by wearing a mouthguard when involved in contact and noncontact sports. Many tooth and jaw injuries can be prevented by the simple use of a mouthguard.

For more information, call the 72nd Dental clinic at 736-200 or visit the ADA website at www.ada.org.