Loosing your teeth while playing any sport can be pretty traumatic; physically, psychologically and esthetically.

If you loose your front teeth that’s even worse; imagine not being able to spell certain words that have the letters ‘s’ and ‘f’ etc., not being able to bite on fruits like apples, and to be afraid to socialize.

A properly fitted mouthguard or mouth protector is an important piece of athletic gear that can protect your teeth and smile. You may have seen them used in contact sports such as boxing.

Mouthguards help protect teeth even in non-contact sports such as gymnastics. Many experts recommend that a mouthguard be worn for any recreational activity that poses a risk of injury to the mouth.

Mouthguards are also given in case one has a habit of grinding teeth in the sleep or otherwise due to various reasons.

Choosing a Mouthguard

There are three types of mouthguards:

• The ready-made, or stock, mouthguard
• The mouth-formed “boiled-and-bite” mouthguard
• The custom-made mouthguard made by a dentist

All properly fitted mouthguards provide varying degrees of protection. A custom-fitted mouthguard professionally made in the dental practice can be tailored to the demands of the athlete and the sport.

The most effective mouthguard should have several features. It should be resilient, tear-resistant and comfortable. It should also fit properly, be durable and easy to clean, and not restrict your speech or breathing.

A mouthguard strap can be fastened to most types of mouthguards. The strap protects against loss and allows the mouthguard to be suspended from a face mask when the athlete is not in play.

Generally, a mouthguard covers only the upper teeth. If you have a protruding jaw, your dentist may recommend that your lower teeth also be covered.

Certain sports have the potential to seriously harm the head, face or mouth as a result of head-to-head contact, hazardous falls, tooth clenching or blows to the mouth.

• Acrobatics
• Basketball
• Bicycling
• Boxing
• Extreme sports
• Field events
• Field hockey
• Gymnastics
• Inline skating
• Martial arts
• Shotputting
• Skateboarding
• Squash
• Water polo
• Weightlifting
• Wrestling

Caring For Your Mouthguard

Before and after each use, rinse the mouthguard with cold water or with an antiseptic mouth rinse. You can clean it with toothpaste and a toothbrush too. When it’s not being used, place your mouthguard in a firm, perforated container. This permits air circulation and helps prevent damage. Avoid high temperatures from sources such as hot water, hot surfaces or direct sunlight which can distort the mouthguard.

Check it for tears and holes and to see whether it has become loose. A mouthguard that is torn or in bad shape can irritate your mouth and lessen the amount of protection it provides. Have regular dental check ups and bring your mouthguard along so your dentist can make sure it’s still in good condition.