MOUTHGUARDS

Mouth guards are commonly worn in sporting events where there is a serious risk of a blow to the mouth or jaw area resulting in trauma to the teeth and gums.

Mouth guards act as a shock absorber for teeth and jaw dental injuries are the most common type of mouth and facial injury in sport treatment of dental injuries can take many months and can be costly.
If the participants are involved in sports where they are at risk of a blow to the head or face from either opponents or equipment they should wear a properly fitted mouth guard. A mouth guard correctly fitted by a dentist will protect teeth, stop biting onto the lips and act as a cushioned layer between teeth to reduce the risk of concussion and jaw fracture.

Stock mouth guards -these are a bulky gutter of rigid plastic available from pharmacies and sports stores. They are very uncomfortable, interfere with speech and breathing and because they are not firmly secured offer a false sense of protection.
Boil and Bite mouth guards - Pharmacies and sports stores also sell "boil and bite "mouth guards. They are made from a thermoplastic material which is softened in hot water and then placed in the mouth to mould to the teeth as the guard is bitten. Like stock guards , they are cheap but never fit well and their shape easily deforms. They can be uncomfortable, impair breathing and speech, offer limited protection and can be an airway hazard. Can be fitted by the school dentist (South Aust. Only) for better protection of children's teeth.
Custom fitted mouth guards - These are made by a dental professional using an impression of the teeth from special shock absorbing plastic. A custom fitted mouth guard fits a person's mouth perfectly. The accurate fit and control of the thickness maximizes the shock absorbing effect. They fit comfortably and won't interfere with breathing.

Make sure that the mouth guards;
· fit the mouth accurately - if not return to your dentist for a refit
· allow normal breathing and speech
· be custom designed and fitted by a qualified professional
· stay in place comfortably
· be made of appropriate material which is non-toxic with measured thickness and coverage.
· are compatible with the sport and the level at which it is being played

How much is your smile worth?

A top quality custom made mouth guard costs between $45 and $120. The price of not using the best protective mouth guard can be enormous. The cost of replacing a single tooth can be up to $4,000 and may cost more than $20,000 over a lifetime with replacement and maintenance.