Sports Mouth Guard

Imagine what it would be like if you suddenly lost one or two of your front teeth. Smiling, talking, eating—everything would suddenly be affected. Knowing how to prevent injuries to your mouth and face is especially important if you participate in organised sports or other recreational activities.

Mouthguards, also called mouth protectors, help cushion a blow to the face, minimising the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face, or jaw. They typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips, and cheek lining.

When Should You Wear a Mouthguard?

When it comes to protecting your mouth especially your teeth and jaws, a sports mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age.
While collision and contact sports, such as rugby, boxing, hockey are higher-risk sports for the mouth, any athlete may experience a dental injury in non-contact activities too, such as gymnastics and skating.

Types of Sports Mouth Guards

The best mouthguard is one that has been custom made for your mouth by your dentist. However, if you cannot afford a custom-made mouthguard, you should still wear a stock mouthguard or a boil-and-bite mouthguard from the pharmacy. Learn more about each type of mouthguard:

Custom-made: Custom fit mouthguards are made by your dentist for you personally. They are more expensive than the other versions because they are individually created for fit and comfort.

Boil and bite: These mouth protectors can be bought at many sporting goods stores and pharmacies and may offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. They are first softened in hot water (boiled), then inserted and allowed to adapt to the shape of your mouth.

Stock: These are inexpensive and come pre-formed, ready to wear. Unfortunately, they often do not fit very well. They can be bulky and can make breathing and talking difficult.