The mouth guard is an incredibly important albeit slightly underrated piece of football equipment. The mouth guard can protect your teeth, gums, tongue, lips and jaw and can even help prevent against concussions. Even though football players are heavily padded and their helmets come with a protective caged in face mask, the high intensity contact level in the sport can still cause injury if the proper equipment isn't used correctly.
Mouth Guard Location
You have two ways to wear your mouth guard and it depends on the type of mouth guard you have. Most mouth guards come with a hook that allows you to keep it on a string attached to the lower part of the face mask. This allows the player to take out the mouth guard between plays without having to worry about holding onto it. They also come without the hook and tassel, where the player has to hold onto it if they want to take it out.
Fitting Mouth Guard
Mouth guards come in different shapes and designs that offer you different levels of protection. The stock-shaped mouth guards are the cheapest but offer you the least amount of protection. The best type of mouth guards to wear are the "boil-and-bite" variety. These mouth guards are lined with rubber or acrylic materials that when boiled can be fitted to your teeth. To mold your mouth guard, place it in boiling water for about 10 to 45 seconds, quickly place it in a cup of cold water, place it in your mouth and bite down on it for a few seconds as it molds over your teeth.
Other Styles
If money is not a concern and you want to ensure the best protection for your teeth and mouth, you can purchase more high end mouth guards. Custom fitted mouth guards can be purchased through your dentist and offer you the best possible protection against oral injury. These guards are tailored specifically for your teeth and as a result are the most comfortable. Mouth guards can also be purchased with a lip protector, which can offer you extra protection for your mouth.
Mouth Guard Care
Caring for your mouth guard is important, as germs and bacteria can easily build up over time. To clean it, use warm or cold water and a gentle soap, as hot water could distort the shape of the guard and cause it to not fit properly. Also, try and refrain from chewing on it during games and practice as this can also change the guard's shape. When you're not wearing your mouth guard, keep it in a cup of mouth wash to ensure it stays clean and bacteria free.
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