Sports Mouthguards

Sports mouthguards are dental protectors that help absorb shock to protect the teeth during physical activities. They prevent traumatic dental injuries, including chipped teeth, jaw fractures, and soft tissue lacerations, by absorbing and dispersing impact. Such devices, which are made of high-quality, medical-grade materials and are tailored to fit a specific person’s contours in the mouth, have become commonplace in modern dentistry.

Sports mouthguards are designed primarily for protecting the oral cavity during high-impact activities. They are effective in preventing fractures and surrounding soft tissue injuries by reducing the forces transmitted through them to teeth and surrounding structures. Such mouthguards can also reduce the shock transmitted to the jaw, which may lower the chance of concussions.

Ideal candidates include:

• Professional athletes and sports enthusiasts: Involved in routine, high-impact activities.
• Young children and teenagers: Whose developing dentition make them more at risk for injury.
• High-risk dental trauma patients: Seeking to avoid future injury.
• People with braces or dental appliances: Who are at more risk during sports.

• Stock Mouthguards: Available over the counter and come pre-formed, they offer basic protection but usually do not fit as well as a custom guard.
• Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards: These are made from thermoplastic material that can be softened in hot water and shaped to conform to the wearer’s mouth, providing a tighter fit than stock versions.
• Custom-Made Mouthguards: These are manufactured on a dental laboratory based on exact impressions and offer better-fitting, comfort, and protection; These are perfect for serious athletes.
• Hybrid Mouthguards: These types serve as a middle ground between the boil and bite and custom-made versions and are great if you want to balance cost with performance.

Steps involved in getting a custom sports mouthguard are:

• Consultation: The dentist discusses the patient’s oral health and specific sports-related requirements and risk factors.
• Impression taking: A detailed impression of the patient’s teeth is made using high-quality dental materials.
• Customise: The impression is sent to a dental lab, which then creates a mouthguard molded specifically to the individual's dental contours.
• Fitting and Adjustments: The dentist checks the fit at a follow-up appointment and makes small adjustments to ensure comfort and adequate protection.
• Final Delivery: Your custom mouthguard is delivered with clear instructions for proper use and care.

Following this rigorous developmental path ensures that the final product provides the highest level of protection optimized to the patient’s specific needs.

Beyond simply preventing injury, sports mouthguards provide a number of advantages:

• Increased Protection: They minimize the chance of dental injury in athletics.
• Increased Performance: A well-fitting, comfortable mouthguard allows athletes to focus on their game instead of worrying about a dental injury.
• Concussion Prevention: They help to absorb impact, taking some shock from the jaw potentially reducing concussion impacts.
• Custom Fit: Fits perfectly, especially with custom-made options, so less chance of slippage during vigorous activity.
• Promoting Long-Term Oral Health: These devices help to preserve teeth and soft tissue, contributing to a health dental future and potentially lower treatment costs in the long run.

• Customization: A custom fit mouthguard fits snugly for better comfort and protection.
• Superior Comfort: New materials and structure mitigate discomfort and disruption to speaking, breathing.
• Economical: The initial investment might be more significant, but decreased risk of dental injuries can reduce costs in the long run.
• Confidence Boost: An athlete whose teeth haven’t been exposed to trauma won’t have to worry about it.

Depending on the type and how often it is used, the longevity of a sports mouthguard varies. With proper care, custom-made mouthguards typically last anywhere from 1 to 3 years. Durability is influenced by the demand for sports activities and the quality of the respective materials. To determine when a mouthguard should be replaced and ensure continued optimal protection, regular examinations by a dental professional are recommended.

Getting your custom sports mouthguard is a process that takes little time. The initial consultation and impression-taking require 30-40 minutes. The dental laboratory may take one to two weeks to fabricate your product depending on design complexity and workload at the lab. Any required changes are minor, making the whole process a breeze for the patient.

Sports mouthguards come at different prices, depending on their type and level of customization. Looking specifically at stock and boil-and-bite options, these generally start in the INR 500–1,500 range. On the other hand, the cost of custom-made mouthguards generally ranges from INR 2,000 to INR 5,000. The total cost varies based on things such as geographic location, the reputation of the dental provider, and additional features like enhanced impact resistance. Although custom options are more expensive, they offer greater levels of protection and durability, which make them an intelligent investment for the long term.

While sports mouthguards have many benefits, they can also involve certain risks if not looked after correctly:

• Improper Fit: Overly bulky pieces can be uncomfortable, while others may not adequately protect.
• Maintenance Concerns: In the absence of regular cleaning, the device can become a dwelling place for bacteria, posing potential risk of oral infections.
• Material Degradation: The materials may degrade over time, leading to decreased effectiveness.
• Speech Impairment: Some users may initially have trouble speaking, but this generally improves with use.

While sports mouthguards offer great advantages, they also have certain drawbacks:

• Higher Price Tag: Tailor-made mouthguards are pricier than store-bought varieties.
• Adaptation Phase: The users might take time to adapt to using the device during their sports.
• Replace Regularly: If using regularly, this may need to be replaced more often to keep providing protection.
• Discomfort: If not properly fitted, a few individuals might encounter irritation or minor discomfort.

For those who may be seeking alternatives, there are a number of options available:

• Basic Protective Equipment: Shields like helmets and head guards provide universal defense but do not cover the teeth and jaws specifically.
• Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards: While an improvement over stock models, they don’t offer the same level of personalization as a custom option.
• Orthodontic Mouthguards: These are specially designed for braces or other dental appliances, providing specialized protection for patients with other work done.

Taking dental care after use is extremely important for performance and durability of the sports mouth guard:

• Routine Cleaning: Have the item rinse with cool water after every use, or gently brush the jewelry with a soft toothbrush then rub the jewelry with non-abrasive toothpaste.
• Proper Storage: Store the mouthguard in a ventilated, hard-plastic case so it does not become damaged or develop bacteria.
• Routine Check-Ups: Regular visits to your dentist help to make sure that the mouthguard is still well fitted, and provides the necessary protection.
• No Heat: Do not apply heat to the device as it may melt the material.
• Replace on Time: If you notice wear and tear - change your mouthguard or do as advised by a dentist.