Cycling, like many other sports, can be hazardous to your smile. A tumble off a bike can cause permanent damage -- but so can the rigor and intensity of pedaling if you grind your teeth while doing it. A mouth guard can prevent irreparable dental damage when worn correctly during cycling.
Benefits
Properly fitted mouth guards can help prevent tooth damage and loss if you take a tumble. They can also stop your teeth from grinding together when you tackle a difficult hill, and according to exercise physiologist Fabio Comana, specially designed performance mouth guards can help you breathe. When you wear a mouth guard designed to reduce jaw fatigue, you enjoy the benefits of unrestricted airways because your jaw is essentially realigned into the ideal position.
Types
There are two main types of mouth guards for cycling: those that claim to enhance performance and those that simply protect your teeth. Performance mouth guards must be fitted by a dentist and can cost thousands of dollars, while ordinary mouth guards can be purchased and fitted at home. Stock mouth protectors can be purchased ready-to-wear, but do not provide a custom fit. Boil-and-bite mouth guards must be prepared before use. Most mouth guards only cover your upper teeth, but lower guards can be purchased or designed by a dentist, if necessary.
Fitting and Wearing
Custom mouth guards designed by a dentist require you to sit for dental molds. Your dentist will take specific measurements of your teeth, your bite and jaw alignment to provide you with a customized fit. Boil-and-bite mouth guards purchased at sporting goods or department stores require you to do the fitting yourself. By heating the mouth guard in boiling water, you make it pliable enough to change shape. You put a boil-and-bite mouth guard in your mouth while it's still hot, press it against your teeth and allow it to cool, creating a custom shape in just a few minutes.
Precautions
Bulky mouth guards can make breathing difficult. Additionally, they can be a poor fit for your jaw and cause discomfort. You may need to clench your teeth to hold a bulky, poorly fitting mouth guard in place, and overworking your jaw muscles can cause exhaustion in the rest of your body. A mouth guard that doesn't fit can cause more harm than good during a crash, so take the time to find one that fits properly.
