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Wrestling is a combat sport in which two opponents fight each other unarmed to subdue the other. It requires a combination of stamina, strength, tactics, and courage and has been practiced throughout history with evidence dating back to 15,000 years.
Today, wrestling is practiced and contested throughout the USA. If you're an aspiring athlete or a dedicated participant, your mouth is at added risk of injury while you practice or play, which can be mitigated by wearing a mouth guard for sports.
A sports mouth guard is an orthodontic device placed in the mouth during games or strenuous physical activities to safeguard the dental structure from injuries in case of an impact, fall, or blow. But all mouth guards are not made alike. In this blog, we explore their main types, weigh their pros and cons, and based on that recommend the best option for you.
Types of Mouth Guards
To understand the qualities of a perfect sports mouth guard, you should be familiar with their three widely available options:
1. Boil and Bite
These are available over-the-counter and are molded at home by boiling them in water, or microwave and then biting into them to create a custom fit.
2 .Ready To Wear
These are ready-to-wear mouth guards that come in standard sizes. They are popular due to their high affordability but don’t offer the superior fit that custom mouth guards do.
3. Custom Made
They are tailor-made according to an individual's mold of a dental impression. They can be bought at your dentist or from at-home providers. The custom-made variant offers the highest protection and the most comfort.
What You Need In A Wrestling Mouth Guard
The sports guard you need for lacrosse will differ from the one you wear during wrestling. One may require added breathing holes while the other will need a thicker build to absorb impacts from blows. Here’s a list of five features that a youth wrestling mouth guard must have:
1. Adequate Protection
Wrestling is a muscle-intensive sport. A mouth guard for wrestling should allow the wearer to breathe freely. It should not feel bulky to wear and must have smooth edges that don’t feel uncomfortable.
An ideal thickness of 4mm is most suited to provide adequate protection without compromising on comfort. If a mouth guard is too thick, it may cause the athlete to salivate and distract from performance; if too thin, it won’t provide sufficient protection.
2. Durable Material
An ideal wrestling mouthguard will be crafted from medical grade BPA-free plastic or silicon. Both these materials with adequate thickness will act as cushions to absorb impacts and shocks
The medical-grade material ensures that your mouth guard will remain reusable for a long time without deteriorating or harboring bacteria. If a mouth guard is made from inferior material it might crack under pressure rendering it useless.
3. Comfortable Fit
A mouth guard should separate the biting surface of both teeth, keep the arches apart, and cover either the upper jaw or lower or both. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) recommends that mouth guards should fit comfortably, along the surface of teeth complementing their pattern. This can only be achieved by either the custom-made or boil-and-bite variations.
4. Long Life
Ideally, you should not be investing in a mouth guard every week. A good quality mouth guard should last one season without deteriorating. However, depending on the intensity of activity and wear and tear it may require a replacement as early as three months.
5. Affordability
Buying a good mouth guard, (such as the custom-made option) should not feel like investing in an asset. Previously, custom mouth guards came at a premium price because they required a visit to the doctor who then got one made as per your custom teeth impressions. Now the process has been cut short by the introduction of at-home custom mouth guard providers (discussed below).
Best Mouth Guard for Wrestling
We recommend a custom-fit mouth guard for wrestling because it offers a combination of all the essential features stated above. Here’s why they are the best option to secure your teeth:
Better Fit
Custom mouth guards provide superior protection against injuries as they are made according to your dental impressions. A custom guard ensures that all your teeth are shielded from impacts or grinding. This
Durable Material
Custom mouth guards are crafted from high-quality, durable materials that offer better shock absorption and impact resistance. This superior construction helps absorb and disperse the force of blows more effectively than generic options.
Easy Replacement
Brands like ALIGNERCO take pride in the quality of their custom sports mouth guards and night guards. These are delivered directly to consumer’s houses and at competitive prices.
Wrestling is a rugged sport but fear of dental injury should not hold you back from pursuing your choice of sport. Wearing the right type of mouth guard significantly lowers the risk of oral damage. If you are uncertain about the role of a mouth guard in sports, here’s a list of reasons why you should consider buying one.
Why Do You Need A Mouth Guard?
Impact Protection
Sports like wrestling where landing punches and throwing is essential to win can sometimes lead to severe impacts that with break or chip the teeth. A sports guard will absorb and disperse these impacts which otherwise would have landed right on the teeth or jaw.
Fixture Protection
Dental fixtures such as crowns, braces, and veneers are sometimes not designed to withstand the same force as naturally healthy teeth. Impacts from blows and falls during wrestling can damage these fixtures permanently or push them into the delicate skin of the mouth leading to injuries. A mouth guard not only protects your teeth and tongue but also safeguards investments in dental work that you have done.
Protects Facial Muscles
When soft mouth tissues and tongue collide with teeth or dental fixtures, it may lead to a rupture in the tissues. Mouth guards disperse the impact of forces that could tear the facial muscles. This cushioning effect absorbs and distributes the blow’s effect, saving delicate facial skin from shock and tear.
Shields Anchorage
Teeth are anchored into the gums by their roots. This anchorage holds them, supports them, and nourishes them. If the roots are damaged the whole teeth are at risk. When an impact lands on the jaw it may damage this anchorage resulting in the loss of a tooth or teeth. Mouth guards act as a cushion to save teeth anchorage against blows.
Peace Of Mind
Permanent teeth are not replaceable. They are precious and are meant to last a lifetime. If your teeth are protected well, you can pursue your sports, knowing that your teeth are safeguarded against accidents that are common to wrestling. This offers a peace of mind.
Caring for your Mouth Guard
It is important to care for your mouth guard right to avoid any tooth decay or gum infections.
Rinse
It is recommended to rinse the mouth guard before and after you use with tap water. You may use a soft bristle toothbrush if needed.
Thorough Cleansing
Use a denture cleaner or multipurpose cleaner designed for mouth guards to thoroughly clean them every few days.
Store Well
When not in use, mouth guards must be stored in their case to keep them safe from bacteria and contaminants. This will also save their shape from distortion.
Temperature
Avoid exposing your mouth guard to extreme heat or cold which might warp the plastic and permanently damage its shape.
Impacts from harsh blows and falls can cause irreversible drudge to your teeth. Mouth guards offer protection to your teeth, facial muscles, tongue, and dental fixtures. Investing in a good quality mouth guard is a safeguard measure essential for your smile if you are into any combat sports.
FAQs
1. Can I wear a wrestling mouth guard with braces?
You can get custom mouth guards made to accommodate braces.
2. Is an inoffice mouth guard better than at home?
They are both custom-made as per your dental impressions and offer equal protection.
3. Do I need to clean my mouth guard?
Mouth guards must be rinsed before and after every use and should be cleaned thoroughly every once in a while to protect against bacteria and odor buildup.
