What is a mouth guard?
A mouth guard is a protective device that fits inside the mouth to protect the teeth. The most common type of mouth guard fits around the top teeth. The bottom teeth are protected when the mouth guard overlaps them. Some mouth guards fit both top and bottom teeth. Mouth guards are available in sporting good stores and come in several sizes. Many mouth guards can be custom-fitted by boiling them and biting into the mouth guard or by pouring a gel into the mouth guard that solidifies when you bite into it. A mouth guard may also be custom-made by your dentist.
A mouth guard is a resilient plastic appliance that has been designed in a fashion where it covers and protects an athlete’s teeth, gums and the bone that supports them. The idea is that when a guard is worn, it helps to provide protection for the hard teeth and jawbone as well as the soft lips, cheeks and gum tissues of the mouth. It does so by absorbing and redistributing the forces generated by traumatic hits. The importance of an athlete wearing a sports mouthpiece when participating in almost any type of sport can’t be over-emphasized. The most significant benefits a mouth guard can provide are protection against damage to teeth and dental work. When a hit is delivered to the mouth, the forces of the impact are absorbed by the structures the hit lands upon.
A mouth guard protects teeth from impact during activities where physical contact may occur. It fits over the teeth helping to prevent them from being knocked out and holds the jaw together more tightly. What many people don’t know is that a good mouth guard protects more than just the teeth. If fitted properly, it distributes force evenly throughout the mouth, lessening the chance for injuries to the rest of the head including broken jaws and concussions. There are different types of mouth guards depending on the level of protection required and the amount of money a person is willing to spend. A custom fitted mouth guard offers the very best protection, and is available through a dentist. There, the mouth guard is made from a mold in order to make an exact fit with the person’s mouth. This types of mouth guard is not very expensive and worth the investment if the very best protection is sought. Less expensive options are generally available through most sporting goods stores.
