AND Most Importantly your players WILL WEAR IT!
Advantages of a Custom Mouth Guards
1. They prevent the tongue, lips and cheeks from being lacerated.
2. They lessen the risk of injury to teeth.
3. They lessen the risk of jaw fractures.
4. They lessen the risk of concussion.
5. They improve the confidence of players. Athletes concentrate their efforts on the execution of their sport
6. Improved Breathing and Speech.
Types of Mouth Guards
Type I: Stock mouth guards are very inexpensive and readily available. They are however least retentive, most bulky, and interfere with breathing and speech. Some authors consider them to be potentially hazardous and feel they should not be recommended. $15
Type II: Mouth formed mouth guards come in two types.
The thermoplastic variety is known as the boil-and-bite technique. $8-$25
The second type II mouth guard is the soft lined variety, that utilizes ethyl methacrylate in a more rigid shell. The lining should be changed before every game, some athletes object to the taste .$30
Type III: Custom-Fabricated (over a model) mouth guards are far superior to types I and II in terms of adaptation, retention, and protection. They are fabricated over a dental model using vacuum formed thermoplastic material.
We make ONLY Custom Fabricated Type III guards as recommended by the Academy for Sports Dentistry
Three types of custom formed mouth guards all are vacuum formed.
- Single layered $60
- Single layered with brace $70
- Multi-layerd Laminated with team logos and colors $80-175
“Final Fit of your Custom Professional Mouth Guard”
In some instances the mouthguard may require further minor customization prior to using it. If you mouthguard is too tight against your teeth, is too loose and falls out easily, or causes any discomfort, please follow the steps below:
- 1) Microwave a coffee mug with water for 1:00 min.
- 2) Remove from microwave, let water stand for 30 seconds.
- 3) Using a slotted spoon, submerge the mouthguard under the surface of the hot water for 12 seconds
- 4) Remove the mouthguard from the water using the spoon and rinse quickly (1 second) under cold water
- 5) Immediately place the mouthguard in your mouth
- 6) Close your mouth, bite down lightly on the mouthguard and suck hard on the mouthguard
- 7) Use your fingers to press against your cheeks and lips to ensure that the mouthguard is snug against your teeth
- 8) While mouth guard is still in place, rinse your mouth with cold water and you’re done.
- 9) Repeat if necessary.
CARE OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL CUSTOM FABRICATED MOUTH GUARD
Store your mouth guard in an Orthodontic retainer cup or Denture cup.
If you wish to clean, or soak the mouth guard use Listerine. This will kill any bacteria.
Please note that your customized mouthguard will need to be replaced over time. The frequency of replacement will vary based on individual usage. Younger players will need to replace their mouthguards more frequently as their mouths/teeth develop and grow. Once the mouthguard no longer fits snugly against your upper teeth or causes any discomfort it is probably an indication that you need to be fitted for a new mouthguard.
The Biggest Advantage of Type III is compliance, breathing and speech.
Care of Mouthguards-All mouth guards should be stored in a plastic container when not in use to avoid damage due to excessive heat and cold. They should be washed daily in cold or lukewarm water. Hot water may cause distortion. Prior to insertion can be rinsed with any commercially available mouthwash to freshen the taste. As a general rule it is recommended that a standard mouth guard should be replaced after about every two to three years (if not required earlier).
References
- Boxing. World Book Encyclopedia, vol2. Chicago, Field Enterprises Educational Corporation, 1973
- Johnsen, DC, Jackson EW: Prevention of intraoral trauma in sports. Dent Clin North Am 35:657-666, 1991
- Olin WH: personal communication
- Chapman PJ: Mouthguards and the role of sporting team dentists. Aust Dent J 34:36-43, 1989
- Hickey JC, Morris AL, Carlson LD, Seward TE: The relation of mouth protectors to cranial pressure and deformation. JADA 74:735-740, 1967
- Jakush J: Divergent views:Can dental therapy enhance athletic performance. JADA 104:292-298, 1982
- Nachman BM, Richardson FS: Football players opinions of mouth guards. JADA 70:62-69, 1965
- Welburry RR, Murray JJ: Prevention of trauma to teeth. Dent Update 17:117-121, 1990
- Ranalli DN: Prevention of craniofacial injuries in football. Dent Clin North Am 35:627-645, 1991
- Pinkham JR: Pediatric dentistry: infancy through adolescence, 2nd ed. WB Saunders Co, 1994
USA Hockey: Reducing Injuries on the Ice
Mouthguards may be the single most instrumental piece of equipment in preventing serious injury on the ice. Why, then, is it so hard to get players to wear them? Mouthguards can be found stashed conveniently in players’ gloves or dangling limply from facemasks.
The USA Hockey Rule Book states that every player is required to wear a mouthpiece that covers all of the teeth on an upper or lower arch. This includes Peewee through Midget players and Girls 8 and Under through Girls 19 and Under. Officials know the rules, and some say it’s their responsibility to keep players in check. Others argue that if referees spend all their time looking for mouthguard infractions, they will miss other, game-related violations.
By not wearing mouthguards, players endanger themselves and risk a penalty for the whole team. So, it’s the coach’s responsibility to ensure the safety of their players, right? Intolerance from an authority figure would help, but it won't resolve the deeper issue here.
What about parents? Shouldn’t they stress the safety reasons for mouthguards? Educating children on the benefits of mouthguards, and possibly even scaring them with trips to the dentist may help, but ultimately, it’s the player’s responsibility to wear all protective gear that's required.
Players don’t wear mouthguards because they’re uncomfortable. The most common complaints are that they feel awkward, restrict breathing, and prevent communication between team members. How many times have we seen a player spit out a mouthguard before a huddle or before having a discussion with someone from the opposing team? Improperly fitting appliances fall out when players try to talk.
Generally, hockey players wear one of two types of mouthpieces - the boil-and-bite guards, which are boiled in hot water and then formed in the mouth through a biting impression, or the stock mouthguards, which are worn straight out of the package. Players complain that neither guard fits securely, and they both fall out when speaking.
USA hockey medical personnel strongly recommend custom-fitted mouthguards. Oral appliances that are tailor-made by a dentist protect all of the teeth eliminate the risk of mouth injury and tooth loss. Players are more likely to wear custom mouthguards because they’re more comfortable, they don’t inhibit breathing, and they don’t fall out as soon as the player opens his or her mouth.
By wearing mouthguards, players also protect their lips, mouth, and tongue from lacerations, and their jaw from potential fracture. Recent studies have shown that mouthguards may be a factor in reducing the risk of concussion, as well. Players wouldn’t be allowed to play without a helmet; mouthguards are just as important.
Educating players and parents on the benefits of custom mouthguards is the first step. The next step is a single trip to the dentist that will prevent several costly dental visits in the future. Protecting America’s hockey players from serious injury on the ice is as simple as providing them with properly fitting equipment.
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