If you are wondering what is a mouth guard, we’re here to tell you all about it! These are essential protective equipment used in sports and recreational activities where things might get rough. Yes, you’re right—your favorite football, boxing, or MMA sports person wears one!
These have a unique design that provides comfort to the wearer while also protecting their mouth—teeth, gums, and jaw—from significant injury. Similar to any other protective equipment, these come with pros and cons.
The following article will examine their existence as equipment, their advantages and disadvantages, and how they protect your mouth. We’ll also examine their role in elevating the oral health of the wearer.
What Is a Mouth Guard?
A common question that comes our way occasionally is, “What is a mouth guard, and how does it work?” Well, popular mouth guards such as Mouthguards Gold Coast are basically a shield for the wearer’s mouth.
These are made of rubber or plastic and are worn over your teeth to protect from damage during rough physical activities. They are commonly found in contact sports such as rugby, football, boxing and martial arts.
However, mouth guards are also useful for non-sports use, such as for individuals who grind their teeth at night. Even those undergoing dental procedures use this device.
Mouth guards can be available in various styles, such as boil-and-bite, ready-made, and custom-made varieties. Each type provides varying levels of protection and comfort, with custom-made mouth guards winning the prize for effectiveness and precision.
The Pros of Wearing Mouthguards
Now that you know what is a mouth guard, let’s introduce you to the advantages and pros of these protective devices:
1. Protection Against Tooth Damage
This had to be the first advantage of the equipment. A primary reason for using a mouth guard is its ability to protect the wearer’s teeth from significant damage. This is especially useful in contact sports with a high chance of teeth being knocked out or damaged.
The device is effective at protecting the mouth from damage during fall, impact or collisions during physical activities. When you have this equipment by your side, you can easily minimise the risk of a fracture or dislodgement.
In addition, a mouth guard absorbs the shock from sudden collision or fall. Consequently, it can be a lifesaver in contact sports such as rugby or basketball and football.
2. Prevents Jaw Injuries
A better question than what is a mouth guard would be how does a mouth guard help me? These play an amazing role in protecting your jaw from minor to severe damage. Especially in physical activities where you know there’ll be an impact on your month.
The cushioning effect of a mouth guard can help prevent the damaging effects of a blow to the face or chin. Thus, with a mouthguard, you are basically preventing a jaw fracture or dislocation.
In addition, with the help of this device, your mouth basically distributes the force of impact across the teeth and gums. Thus, this prevents the risk of traumatic injury to the jawbone and surrounding area.
3. Protection from Soft Tissue Damage
With the help of a mouth guard, you ensure your teeth and jaw are at minimal risk. Soft tissues of the moth such as gums, cheek and lips are prone to severe damage once you’re dealt a blow to your face.
With the help of this device, you prevent cuts and bruises to these areas when impact occurs. Thus, it acts as a barrier between the soft tissue and teeth, naturally reducing the risk of painful injuries.
4. Reduces the Risk of Concussions
You can imagine how severe the impact of a collision or fall is during high-intensity sports such as football. You may even have witnessed players losing consciousness after a massive collision – this is due to a concussion.
Did you know players could easily avoid concussions with the help of a mouth guard? Yes, the cushioning effect of the device helps lower head impacts during such incidents. There are studies that provide evidence, though debatable, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
For example, a custom-made mouth guard will effectively absorb and distribute the force thereby reducing the impact of a fall. Thereby, preventing a concussion or lessening its severity.
5. Prevents Teeth Grinding
As briefly mentioned, mouth guards can also play a significant role in preventing teeth grinding and its ill-effects. Also known as bruxism, it is a condition that people suffer during the night while sleeping.
As the individual is not in control, it can lead to tooth wear, headaches, and even jaw pain!
Doctors suggest wearing a mouth guard in such cases as it helps prevent teeth grinding by acting as a barrier. Consequently, the wearer reduces the impact of this condition and protects their mouth from irreversible damage.
6. Improved Performance in Some Sports
Primaril;y serving as a protective equipment, mouth guard can also improve their performance. This may have psychological connections with safeguarding their oral health while playing, which helps direct their focus and attention to the strategy.
Thus, mouth guards may be the reason why your favorite football or basketball player has an impeccable score. By preventing the fear of injury, the player enhances their performance as they feel secure.
The Cons of Wearing Mouthguards
The naysayers of wearing mouth guards rejoice! Here are the cons or disadvantages of wearing a mouth guard:
1. Discomfort
One of the major drawbacks of wearing a mouth guard is the discomfort. This is especially true in cases when it is new to the wearer and is not custom-made. This can lead to a bulky or tight feeling for the wearer which can be distracting during sports.
Thus, avoid using ready-made or boil-and-bite mouth guards that can be too thick or poorly fitting which leads to less-than-optimal experience. Custom-made mouth guards are the way to go, even though they cost higher than the other two.
2. Potential for Breathing Difficulty
Ill-fitting or thick mouth guards can make breathing difficult for the wearer. This is mainly concerning as athletes engaged in high-intensity sports can find it significantly challenging to take deep breaths.
This is essential for maintaining their stamina and blood oxygen levels which boosts their performance. This can make running, swimming and other heavy-exertion sports challenging.
3. Speech Impediments
Poorly fitting mouth guards can affect the way the wearer speaks. It can also cause temporary speech impediments with regular use. This makes it harder to pronounce words clearly, which affects communication during the game.
It is quite common in thick mouth guards and is an issue found in boil-and-bite versions, as well. Thus, individuals in environments requiring clear communication can be a significant hindrance.
4. Increased Risk of Choking or Swallowing
It is quite rare, however, a possibility. There are risks of choking on the mouthguard, especially if it becomes loose or falls out during the activity. It is particularly concerned with low-quality, ready-made mouth guards.
There is also an additional risk of swallowing a mouth guard, especially in high contact sports where it may dislodge.
5. Maintenance and Hygiene
Mouth guards require regular maintenance which involves thorough cleaning as they go inside the body. Though necessary for maintaining hygiene, some wearers may fail to clean the mouth guard properly which leads to the build up of bacteria.
Consequently there is an increase in the risk of mouth infections. Thus, it is important that you rinse it regularly and store it in a protective case. You should also occasionally disinfect it to avoid potential issues such as gum diseases or bad breath.
6. Cost of Custom-Made Mouthguards
While ready-made and boil-and-bite mouthguards are affordable options, custom-made mouthguards can be expensive. A high-quality custom mouthguard that fits perfectly can cost anywhere from $100 to $500. For individuals who need a mouthguard for sports, the price can be a barrier. However, many athletes consider the investment worthwhile, given the increased comfort and protection.
Choose Wisely!
That was our take on what is a mouth guard and their role, pros and cons. These offer significant benefits, particularly for individuals involved in contact sports, those who grind their teeth, or anyone looking to protect their oral health.
However, they are not without their drawbacks, including discomfort, difficulty breathing, and the need for proper maintenance.
For athletes, wearing a mouthguard can be an essential step toward preventing serious injuries, while for others, it may simply be a practical solution to a health issue like bruxism.
Before purchasing a mouthguard, it’s advisable to consult with a dentist to determine which type will provide the best fit and protection for your needs.
With proper care and the right fit, mouthguards can offer a simple, effective way to safeguard your oral health for years to come.
