Mouthguards are highly effective protective devices utilized across various sports to minimize the risk of injury. These appliances are standard equipment for athletes participating in activities that involve potential contact or falls. Dental and sports medicine professionals agree that wearing a mouthguard significantly reduces the occurrence and severity of oral and facial trauma. Their widespread adoption, including mandatory use in high-impact activities like football, demonstrates their recognized benefit in safeguarding an athlete’s health.
The Science of Protection
A mouthguard functions primarily as a pliable cushion that absorbs and dissipates the energy from an impact to the face. The resilient material, often flexible plastic, absorbs shock that would otherwise be transmitted directly to the teeth, jaw, and surrounding tissues. This helps reduce the severity of injuries such as tooth fractures and dislocations.
The device also works by distributing the force of impact across a broader surface area, preventing isolated points of high pressure. Spreading the force over the entire dental arch minimizes the concentrated stress. Furthermore, the guard creates a protective space between the upper and lower teeth, preventing them from forcefully colliding upon impact.
Types and Quality of Fit
The effectiveness of a mouthguard is heavily dependent on how well it fits the wearer’s mouth. Consumers have three main options with varying levels of protection:
- Stock mouthguards are the least expensive and most readily available. They are pre-formed and come in limited sizes. Since they are not customized, stock guards often feel bulky, impede comfortable breathing or speech, and offer the least protection due to a poor fit.
- Boil-and-bite mouthguards are a mid-range option made of thermoplastic material softened in hot water and molded to the teeth by biting down. This provides a more personalized fit than a stock guard, improving retention and comfort. However, this type may not offer complete coverage of the back teeth and does not achieve the precision of professional options.
- Custom-fitted mouthguards represent the highest standard of protection. They are created by a dental professional from an impression or scan of the athlete’s mouth. This tailored design ensures a precise fit that is secure, comfortable, and minimally restrictive to breathing and speaking. The superior fit allows for optimal shock absorption and force distribution, making custom guards significantly more effective.
Protecting Against Specific Injuries
Mouthguards are primarily proven to protect against dental trauma, preventing avulsed (knocked out), chipped, or fractured teeth. They safeguard hard tissues by cushioning the teeth from direct blows and preventing the upper and lower teeth from jarring together. The mouthguard serves as a barrier for the vulnerable anterior maxillary teeth, the most common site for damage in sports.
Mouthguards also shield the soft tissues inside the mouth from injury. The device acts as a buffer, holding the lips, cheeks, and tongue away from the sharp edges of the teeth. This minimizes the risk of lacerations and bruising that occurs when teeth cut into the mouth during an impact.
Furthermore, mouthguards offer protection against skeletal injuries, such as lower jaw fractures and damage to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). By stabilizing the jaw and reducing the force transmitted through the bone, they help mitigate these severe injuries. Research suggests a possible link between mouthguard use and a reduced risk of concussion, though the primary benefit remains the prevention of dental and oral injuries.