At first glance, the mouth guard does one simple thing for football players or any athlete who wears them: it protects the teeth of those that use them. But a mouth guard does far more than that. In addition to protecting the teeth, the mouth guard protects the soft tissues of the mouth, the jaw and also helps prevent concussions by absorbing much of the force that comes with a blow to the head.
When an offensive lineman takes a head shot from an onrushing defensive lineman, the mouth guard helps lessen the intensity of the blow by absorbing much of the pressure and dissipating the intensity. The dental protection provided cannot be overstated. More than 30 percent of all dental injuries are sports related, so wearing a mouth guard is essential to keeping teeth healthy. Dentists point out that a high percentage of mouth injuries are caused by the violent closing of the mouth, thereby jamming teeth into one another. Those are the situations where a mouth guard provides the most protection.
What to Look for
Athletes who have had significant dental work need oral protection more than those who have had a relatively small amount of dental intrusion. Crowns, bridges, veneers and dental implants are well-made and effective, but they are nowhere near as strong as natural teeth and need to be protected.
Mouth guards also provide almost certain protection from lacerations to the gums and the other soft tissues in the mouth. The key to getting that protection is making sure the mouth guard fits comfortably with some degree of snugness. A mouth guard that is too loose can be difficult to keep in place. If that happens, protection is limited. A mouth guard is an absolute necessity for any athlete wearing orthodontic hardware. While this may seem obvious since the wires and devices in the mouth are sharp and can cause bleeding, orthodontists see a surprisingly high number of athletes who wear braces but fail to use mouth guards regularly.
Common Pitfalls
Any athlete using a mouth guard can feel secure that he is doing everything possible to protect his teeth during the heat of competition. However, mouth guards can make breathing somewhat difficult and many try to do something that makes the device less cumbersome. Some players may choose to alter the structure by cutting or reducing it. This should be avoided at all costs since the mouth guards are designed to dissipate pressure and any alteration may reduce this ability. Mouth guards must also be sterilized after each use by boiling. Failing to do this can turn the device into a germ factory.
