Mouthguard: a mandatory dental protection for contact sports

Once your baby teeth fall out, your permanent teeth grow in and you don't have any “spare teeth”, like sharks that have a replacement every time they lose a tooth while biting into a prey! To compensate for this “gap”, the mouth guard was developed.

If you are a fan of a sport in which your teeth can be put to the test, you are strongly advised to equip yourself. This includes boxing and combat sports in general, rugby, ice or field field hockey, American soccer…

If you are concerned, don't throw yourself on the first cheap mouthguard that comes along, because you might ruin your beautiful smile! Read everything you need to know about mouthguards before making your choice.

What is a mouthguard?

The mouthguard is like a mold, made of a synthetic material, which can be custom-made, thermo-moldable (which means that you will mold it to fit your mouth, when you first use it), or ready to use.

It protects you from wounds, bites and bills. Thanks to it, shocks are dampened, absorbed and dispersed, thus reducing their violence.

The mouth guard not only protects your teeth, it also protects your head, including your cervical vertebrae. The mouth guard is used to preserve the integrity of :

• Your teeth, of course, by absorbing shocks: the incisors are often the most exposed, but the other teeth will also be protected from side shocks;
• the soft tissues of the oral cavity: tongue, lips and cheeks;
• your jaws, which will be cushioned;
• your skull and neck that suffer from the repercussion of impacts: less risk of concussion and damage to your spine.

It is advisable to wear a mouthguard for some sports and it is even mandatory for some, especially if you practice them in competition.

What qualities should a mouthguard have?

The mouthguard must be effective, but also comfortable. Once you get used to wearing it, you don't even have to pay attention to it anymore, just focus on your training.

Whichever mouthguard model you choose, it must be :

• comfortable;
• flexible;
• ergonomic, so that you don't have any difficulty breathing or speaking;
• made of easy-to-clean, non-porous material that would prevent the removal of impurities and bacteria;
• durable: you should not have to change too often.

Custom-made mouthguards

The custom-made mouthguard is logically the best, since it is perfectly adapted to your mouth; it is more comfortable and more effective. It is also logically the most expensive. It's up to you to decide if the intensity with which you practice your sport justifies this investment.

The custom-made mouthguard is made from the impressions of your mouth. This means that you must visit your dentist or orthodontist.

Thermo-moldable mouthguards

Thanks to today's high-performance synthetic materials, the thermo-moldable mouthguard allows you to obtain good protection and also good comfort. It is less expensive and can be just as durable. You can find it in sports stores.

How to mould your mouth guard?

Moulding your mouthguard is very simple and you only have to do it the first time you use it. It will then be rigorously adapted to your mouth.

The method is generally the same for all heat moldable mouthguards. However, check the immersion and installation times, which may differ depending on the models and their raw materials.

• Bring a small pot of water to a boil.
• As soon as it reaches boiling point, remove it from the heat and dip your mouthguard in it.
• At the end of the time specified on your instructions, remove it. Be sure to bring a large spoon or ladle so you don't get scalded!
• Make sure it is not too hot and place it in your mouth.
• Grit your teeth, but don't overdo it. You must adopt a natural pose so that your two jaws interlock properly.
• Once the time indicated has passed, remove it and cool it in a bowl of ice water.

Now your mouthguard is ready to use!

Ready-to-use mouthguards

There are ready-made mouthguards available, but they should be used with caution, as not all of them fit all jaws. They are much less expensive, but also much less comfortable, sometimes to the point of embarrassing you and their effectiveness is questionable.

Some of them are however reliable and can be chosen if you have a rather classical dentition .

Mouthguards for children

Protecting children's teeth is even more important because their jaws are still developing. Bones, like teeth, are not yet in their final configuration and are more fragile.

If your child plays a contact sport, such as rugby or combat sports, it is highly recommended to equip him or her with a mouthguard. This one will have to be adapted to the size of its jaw and will have to be changed as it grows.

You can find fancy mouthguards for children, with decorative patterns and various colors.

Mouth guards if you have braces

Orthodontic appliances must be especially protected. The most common ones are rings for children. In the event of an impact, these are dangerous because they can cut into the soft tissue inside the mouth.

In this case, you need to choose a mouthguard adapted to the rings, there are some of all sizes on the market.

It is even more important to wear a mouthguard if you have implants or bridges that are inherently more fragile than your teeth. If you are missing teeth, protection is also more important because the gaps expose more of the remaining teeth.

Maintenance of your mouthguard

You must apply impeccable hygiene rules for your mouthguard to avoid any infection. It is supplied with a case in which it must be stored between each session.

After each workout, rinse your mouthguard well with clean water. Do the same every time you take it out. Even if it is not mandatory every time, you can brush it regularly with toothpaste to better disinfect it.

A good mouthguard can last a year or more, but make sure it doesn't get too damaged over time. If you notice that it is becoming less smooth and probably porous, it is time to change it, as it will not only protect you less well from knocks, but may also retain more bacteria.

Comparison of the best mouthguards

Meister MMA double mouth guard

The Meister mouthguard is particularly suitable for sports with frequent and possibly violent contact, such as boxing and rugby. It covers both jaws for better protection. Its silicone is soft and resistant and the device is thermo-moldable, which allows you to shape it to your mouth. Follow the instructions that come with it and respect the recommended heating times.

The Meister MMA mouthguard is in all the charts, because it is frequently cited by athletes for its lightness and comfort.

The mouthguard comes with a hard case so you can protect it between sessions. It is available in several colors, rather bright which distinguish it from other mouthguards: orange, pink or yellow. If you want it to be more discreet, you can choose it in a transparent silicone.

Meister is one of the cheapest mouthguards in the thermo-moldable range, yet it offers excellent quality.

ShockDoctor mouthguards for rings

ShockDoctor has designed a mouthguard specifically for ring wearers, with a special channel to give them room. It is not heat-moldable, but fits all jaws quite well.

You can find it in pink or blue and in two sizes: for children up to 11 years old, and beyond for adults. It is supplied with its storage box.

Venum Challenger Mouthguard

Available in one size, the Venum Challenger Mouthguard fits easily, thanks to its soft rubber composition. It features a Netflix Gel structure that promises an easy adjustment.

Venum Challenger meets CE standards and offers all the guarantees of protection and hygiene. It comes with its own case, so you can protect it well between sessions.

It is available in many colors, at an interesting price for a very appreciable comfort.

Conclusion

It is fundamental for your teeth, but also for your general health to use a mouthguard if you practice a contact sport. If you are a professional or a very assiduous amateur and competitive sportsman, the ideal is of course to have a custom-made mouthguard made for you.

Otherwise, you can choose your model according to your particularities. The most versatile is the Venum Challenger; if you wear rings, opt for the ShockDoctor; and if your sport is particularly violent, the Meister is best.

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