Individual sports mouthguard

Do you regularly engage in boxing, hockey, or another contact sport? Take care of reliable protection of your teeth during training and competitions. An individual sports mouthguard helps reduce the force of impact and lowers the risk of dental injuries.

At Oxford Medical dentistry, the mouthguard is made according to individual impressions of the teeth, so it exactly corresponds to the features of the bite and is reliably fixed. Such a construction provides significantly better protection compared to standard ready-made mouthguards. Make an appointment for a consultation with a dentist to make a mouthguard that will be as comfortable and effective as possible specifically for you.

A sports mouthguard is an orthopedic construction made of medical polymer, which is manufactured according to dental impressions for their protection during sports activities. It helps absorb the force of impact, evenly distributes the load, and reduces the risk of injuries to the dentoalveolar system.

The highest level of protection is provided by custom-made mouthguards, which are manufactured individually for each patient taking into account the features of the bite. Thanks to the precise fit, they do not shift during active movements and provide better protection than standard ready-made products.

Individual sports mouthguards are recommended for everyone who regularly engages in sports associated with the risk of blows, falls, or collisions. They are suitable for both professional athletes and amateurs.

Most often, mouthguards for athletes are made for:

• boxers and athletes who practice martial arts;

• hockey players, rugby players, football players, and basketball players;

• athletes who engage in cycling, roller, or skate sports;

• athletes of other sports where there is a risk of dental injury.

During martial arts, in particular boxing, it is especially important that the mouthguard holds tightly and does not shift during activities. That is why a mouthguard for teeth for boxing must be made individually. If an athlete is undergoing orthodontic treatment, the doctor may separately select an orthodontic mouthguard for boxing, which will take into account the presence of braces and protect them from damage.

Doctors of Oxford Medical explain: the choice of a sports mouthguard depends not only on the features of the bite, but also on the type of sport and the level of physical loads. That is why before its manufacturing, the dentist assesses all these factors so that the mouthguard corresponds as much as possible to the needs of the athlete.

Sports mouthguards are used for the prevention of dental injuries during training and competitions. A protective mouthguard for teeth helps preserve the integrity of teeth and soft tissues of the oral cavity even during intensive physical loads.

Sports mouthguards are used to:

• prevent chips, fractures, and knocked-out teeth;

• reduce the risk of damage to the lips, cheeks, and tongue;

• protect brace systems and other orthodontic constructions during sports activities;

• minimize the consequences of blows to the facial area.

If caries or other dental diseases are detected before the manufacturing of a sports mouthguard, the doctor first recommends treating them. This ensures the correct fit of the mouthguard and its comfortable use.

The manufacturing of a sports mouthguard begins with a consultation with a dentist. The doctor examines the oral cavity, assesses the condition of the teeth and gums, clarifies the type of sport and the level of loads in order to select the optimal shape and thickness of the future mouthguard.

The main stages of manufacturing:

• Dentist examination. The doctor assesses the condition of the oral cavity, and if there are indications, may recommend additional diagnostics, in particular a dental X-ray. This helps make sure that the mouthguard will be made taking into account all individual features.

• Taking impressions. For the precise manufacturing of the construction, the dentist takes dental impressions or performs digital scanning.

• Manufacturing in the laboratory. Based on the obtained data, an individual mouthguard is created, which corresponds to the shape of the dental rows and the features of the bite. Such a sports mouthguard based on a dental cast fits precisely and does not require independent adaptation at home.

• Fitting and correction. The dentist checks the fit of the mouthguard, its fixation, and the patient's comfort.

Manufacturing a mouthguard to order makes it possible to obtain a construction that fits tightly to the teeth and does not cause discomfort during use.

Specialists of Oxford Medical note: in most cases, a consultation with a dentist is enough to plan the manufacturing of a mouthguard. If the patient has complaints of jaw clenching, joint pain, or bruxism, a consultation with a gnathologist may additionally be recommended.

Proper care of a sports mouthguard helps maintain its hygienic condition, preserve its shape, and extend its service life.

It is recommended:

• to rinse the mouthguard with cool water after each use;

• to regularly clean it with a soft toothbrush without abrasive pastes;

• to store the mouthguard in a clean ventilated container;

• not to leave the construction under direct sunlight or near sources of heat in order to avoid deformation.

Doctors of Oxford Medical explain: if the construction has been damaged, has lost its shape, or has become insufficiently tight-fitting to the teeth, it must be replaced.

You can find out the cost of manufacturing an individual sports mouthguard here. During the consultation, the dentist will conduct an examination, if necessary determine the required scope of diagnostics, and answer all questions regarding the future manufacturing of the mouthguard. The doctor will also provide detailed guidance regarding the cost of the mouthguard and other medical services. To make an appointment for a consultation, call the contact center or use the online appointment form on the website.

Oxford Medical is a clinic of modern dentistry, where a full range of services for children and adults is provided. Dental departments are located in Pechersk, Pavlivska, Obolon, and Pozniaky, so you can choose the clinic that will be the most convenient for you.

The information is for informational purposes and does not replace a doctor's consultation.

Sources:

• American Dental Association

• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

• PubMed