Hockey and football players are not the only athletes who need mouth guards, Consumer Guide to Dentistry notes. In fact, the American Dental Association compiled a list of 29 sports for which it recommends them. The sports vary from gymnastics to weightlifting, water polo to squash and any other activity where you face the risk of having your teeth damaged or knocked out.
What It Is
A mouth guard is a curved piece of material, usually a hardened plastic, rubber or polyvinyl, that fits over your teeth. You can get them custom-made at your dentist or buy one straight off the shelf at sporting goods and equipment retailers. When looking for a mouth guard, Consumer Guide to Dentistry says to find one that is comfortable, durable, easily cleaned, stays in place and does not impede speech or breathing. It's also best if it does not smell or taste odd.
Why You'd Want One
Protection is the main reason you wear a mouth guard for sports, but mouth guards do have a few other uses. On the sports end, mouth guards put a barrier around your teeth to protect them and your inner cheeks. Specialized mouth guards from your dentist can help prevent snoring and grinding your teeth.
Different Types
The three basic types of mouth guards are the customized, the boil-and-bite and the stock. Dentists create customized mouth guards, using an impression of your teeth to form a heat-molded plastic guard. Boil-and-bite mouth guards consist of a rubber piece you first boil, cool and then put in your mouth to harden. Stock mouth guards are usually rubber or polyvinyl and sold as one-size-fits-all.
Pros and Cons
Customized mouth guards provide the best fit, comfort and protection, but also at the highest price, according to the Consumers Guide to Choosing the Right Mouth Guard. The boil-and-bite guards are cheaper than the custom and fit better than the stock guards, but they also tend to become brittle over time and don't work for braces. Stock guards are the cheapest, but you also get what you pay for, the Guide warns. Stock guards offer the least amount of protection, only stay in place when your mouth is closed and have no way to customize the fit.
