Athletes who love their teeth and understand the risks they face are always on the lookout for good quality mouthguards. The rule is simple:
Either your jaw is made of steel, or you NEED a mouth guard for high-impact sports.
If you’re wondering about the importance of a mouthguard, which one to pick, or where to buy one, this guide is for you.
What Is A Sports Mouth Guard
Mouthguards are trays made of thermoplastic, worn over the top row of teeth during sports to help prevent oral injuries. Sports regulatory authorities usually recommend them and sometimes make them mandatory.
When Do You Need A Mouth Guard?
Mouthguards should be worn if you are involved in any of the following activities:
Contact Sports
Playing contact sports such as football, rugby, hockey, basketball, boxing, and martial arts involve physical contact where players will often trip, fall, face blows, and run into each other. Players are at an increased risk of dental injuries during contact sports and need a mouth guard to save their teeth from damage.
Collision Sports
Professional games like soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey involve a high risk of collisions or falls that could lead to injuries to the mouth and teeth. Collision sports mouthguards act as a cushion against the force of these impacts.
Combat Sports
Sports like wrestling, mixed martial arts (MMA), and boxing involve intentional strikes to the face and head; this makes combat sports mouth guards essential for protecting teeth and soft tissues in combat sports even if it's just practice.
Extreme Sports
Sports or leisure activities such as skateboarding, mountain biking, snowboarding, and skiing come with inherent risks of crashes and falls, which can result in mouth injuries. Always wear a mouth guard during extreme sports to save your jaws and teeth.
Practice Sessions
Athletes are trained to endure pressure and intense practice from an early age. Parents often feel more at peace when their child wears mouth guards during their practices. Sports mouth guards keep their mouths safe from severe injuries when they practice any of these sports, allowing them to play freely.
What To Look For In A Sports Mouthguard?
Choosing a mouth guard can be overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for. Here’s what sets apart a good mouth guard from an average one.
A Good Fit
A loose-fitting mouth guard will not grip the teeth right and may fall out, whereas a tight-gripping mouth guard can cause pinching and discomfort. You want a mouth guard that feels ‘just right’ and fits your teeth well.
Comfortable
You don’t need an expert to tell you that the size of the jaw and oral cavities vary from person to person. This is why one size in mouth guards will not fit everyone. Moreover, a thick and bulky mouth guard will be uncomfortable, compromising its protection ability. You must look for custom-fit mouthguards.
Adequate protection
Mouth guards are primarily designed to protect teeth. Don't be swayed by attractive colors and flashy designs; focus on quality. Consult your teammates for recommendations, and choose a brand that prioritizes the safety of your teeth.
Types of Mouth Guards
Dental Mouth Guard -Is an umbrella term for any type of mouth guards and there generally are two types:
- Night Guards.
- Sports Mouthguards
Night Guards
These mouth guards are made specifically to wear at night. They are usually on the thinner side and made to be worn during sleep. Night Guards are usually transparent, while clear mouth guards are uncommon. They come in two categories :
- Night Guards for teeth grinding and mild snoring
- Night Guards for sleep apnea and chronic snoring
Sports Mouthguards
There is often confusion about what type of mouth guards to choose for sports.
Sports mouthguards, also called athletic mouth guards are designed to be worn during intense physical activities. They are made more sturdy to protect against impacts and are thicker than night guards. They come in three variations:
- Stock Mouth Guards
- Boil and Bite
- Custom made
Stock Mouth Guards
These are ready-to-wear, preshaped, over-the-counter (OTC) mouth guards. They come in various shapes and sizes and are the least expensive option.
A major downside to the ready-made mouth guard is that they may not fit well. They can also be bulky and make breathing difficult.
Remember, when a mouthguard doesn’t fit well, it feels less comfortable and offers less protection.
Boil and Bite
This is another readily available and cost effective variation of over-the-counter (OTC) mouthguards.
They have to be put into hot water or microwaved to soften them. Once softened, they are bit into until they set and then left to cure and harden for several hours. They are not super precise but offer superior fitting than stock mouthguards.
OTC mouth guards are not recommended for long-term use. For regular use get yours custom made.
Custom made
These are tailor-made according to individual dental impressions. A common misconception about custom mouth guards is that they are only for athletes. With an affordable sports mouthguard price, they are easily accessible to everyone and offer superior precision, comfort, and quality.
Another misconception is that you need to pay a visit to your dentist to get custom dental sports mouth guards.
With the introduction of at-home custom sports mouth guards, such as those offered by ALIGNERCO, getting custom athletic sports mouth guards is as easy as getting them over the counter, without any visits to the dental clinic. Find out how in the next section.
Our pick: ALIGNERCO
We think custom fit are the best sports mouth guard option and dentists agree. Here’s why:
At home custom mouth guards for sports, such as those offered by ALIGNERCO are not only cost effective but are also convenient to buy without any additional dentist fee.
These sports mouth guards are made with BPA-free material and 4mm thickness to provide super impact absorption and teeth protection. These qualities make them ideal for adults and the best choice for a kids sports mouthguard.
How To Order A Custom Mouth Guard
For regular and long term use custom mouth guards are given preference over OTC options due to their superior fit, precision and durability. Here’s how to get yours at home:
1- Place An Order
Order your Sports mouthguard online by visiting ALIGNERCO.com . You will receive a package that contains an impression kit. It will include impression trays, several putties, gloves, cheek retractors etc.
2- Send Your Impressions
The putty is mixed which will activate it. It is then aligned in the tray and bit into. After sometime the putty will harden, with your teeth impressions on it. The process is fairly simple and can be done without the supervision of a dentist. These dental impressions are then mailed back to ALIGNERCO.
3- Receive Your Mouth Guard
Once your impressions are received, experts at ALIGNERCO create your custom dental mouth guard, in the color of your choice. Before dispatching, they are checked to ensure that they meet set standards of quality and then mailed to your address.
How To Care For Your Mouth Guard
Once you have your mouthguard, make sure to look after it right. Follow these care tips to get the best out of your purchase and ensure that it lasts long.
Clean Regularly
Use plain water to rinse them after every use. If you notice some odor or build up, soak them in equal parts mouthwash or a denture cleaner mix. This will clean them thoroughly and leave them smelling fresh. Avoid cleaning them with abrasive and harsh chemicals, both will damage the plastics.
Store Properly
Keep it in your sports mouth guard case provided with it when not in use. Never expose it to extreme temperatures which will warp the plastic and distort their precise shape.
Replace Frequently
Look out for signs of wear and tear, shape distortion and bad smell. With regular use your mouth guard will wear down over time until the material is no longer thick enough to be considered protective. This is why we recommend replacing them periodically, and buying extras.
FAQs
How to clean a sports mouthguard?
- Rinse with cool water after each use.
- Brush with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Soak in a mouthguard cleaner or mouthwash occasionally.
- Air dry completely before storing in a ventilated case.
Can you use a sports mouth guard for sleeping?
It is not recommended. Sports mouth guards are designed for impact protection and may not provide the same comfort and durability as night guards meant for sleep.
Can you use a sports mouth guard as a night guard?
There’s no law against it, but if you want comfortable sleep and less drooling, we recommend a night guard for bruxism. They are usually made thinner and softer.
Can I wear a sports mouthguard for braces?
Yes. But it depends on the brand you buy from. Do consult with your provider.
What color mouthguard is best?
When choosing a mouthguard, the quality and make of it decide its effectiveness against impacts. Colors are a personal choice. You can even choose a clear sports mouthguard if you do not wish to have colored ones.
Can you use a sports mouthguard for teeth grinding?
While a sports mouth guard does offer protection against teeth grinding if it is during daytime, they are not a suitable solution for nighttime teeth grinding.
Sports mouth guard vs night guard?
A mouth guard is generally thicker and sturdier, made to cushion blows and impacts. Night guards are usually transparent and relatively thin to prevent teeth from grinding against each other. We do not recommend using a sports mouth guard for sleeping.
Which type of sports mouthguard is most effective?
Custom-made mouthguards are deemed more effective than stock mouthguards, due to their superior fit.
Difference between a sports mouth guard and a dental mouth guard?
- Sports mouth guards protect against impact during physical activities.
- Dental mouth guards, such as night guards, protect teeth from grinding and clenching while sleeping.
How to get used to wearing a mouth guard for sports?
- Start by wearing it for short periods to get accustomed.
- Practice talking with it in.
- Gradually increase the duration you wear it during practice sessions.
