Mouthguards

Give your mouth a sporting chance - wear a mouthguard!

Experts recommend that mouthguards be worn during any recreational sport that might injure the mouth area. As the name implies, mouthguards help prevent injury to the mouth area, especially to the teeth, lips, cheeks and tongue. Mouthguards also protect against head and neck injuries by cushioning blows that might otherwise cause concussions or jaw fractures.

Who should wear a mouthguard?

Anyone engaging in rigorous sports activities that could harm the facial region should wear a mouthguard. Mouthguards are most commonly used in collision sports. In New Hampshire, the NHIAA requires the use of mouthguards in the contact sports of basketball and soccer. No matter what your age or level of participation - from child to adult - from backyard play to organized team sports and school athletics - a mouthguard, the most inexpensive and easily obtained piece of sports equipment, can go a long way in preventing serious injury to the head and mouth.

If you participate in any of the following sports or activities, you should wear a mouthguard:

• Acrobatics, Baseball, Basketball, Biking, Boxing, Discus Throwing, Field Hockey, Football, Gymnastics, Handball, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Martial Arts, Racquetball, Rollerblading, Rugby, Shotputting, Skateboarding, Skiing, Skydiving, Soccer, Squash, Softball, Surfing, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting
• Each of these has the potential to seriously harm the head, face or mouth as a result of head-to-head contact, hazardous tooth clenching, or flying pieces of equipment. A single, well-constructed mouthguard can be used for any of these activities, making it a versatile and inexpensive piece of equipment.

Choosing a Mouthguard

The best mouthguard is a custom mouthguard. It is custom fit, easily retained in the mouth and does not interfere with speech or breathing. Hiller Orthodontics provides custom mouthguards at the completion of treatment - at cost - as a service to patients.

While braces are on the teeth, we find that the "boil & form" mouthguard is satisfactory, while tooth movement is occurring. Changes in tooth position and jaw size as the athlete grows will require changes in the mouthguard.

Cautions and Reminders

• You should not wear removable hardware such as an orthodontic retainer when participating in contact sports.
• If you wear braces, you should wear a mouthguard that has been individually fitted by a dentist.
• A mouthguard should be worn at all times, in practice as well as during games.
• Your mouthguard should be cleaned with cool, soapy water and rinsed thoroughly after each use.
• Check the condition of your mouthguard. Mouthguards can wear out and should be inspected for tears that can irritate the mouth and compromise your protection.
• No mouthguard can completely prevent damage or injury.

Additional Information

The Academy for Sports Dentistry's website provides detailed information about mouthguards. We recommend that all patients who participate in athletics visit this site.  

Support the use of mouth guards and take the Moms For Mouth Guards pledge and the AAO will donate mouth guards to the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS). Each signature can help save a smile.