Sports Mouthguards- Get Yours Custom Fitted Today

Did you know that worldwide, 20% of people will experience a traumatic dental injury every year and sports are a leading cause of fractures and avulsions to the natural teeth? If you love participating in sports, recreationally or competitively, you know how important it is to protect your body from injury. Finding the right gear to protect your teeth is just as important as wearing helmets, kneepads and shin guards.  A sports mouthguard is the most effective way to minimise the risk of injury to your teeth, gums, tongue and cheeks.

Taking Steps To Ensure A Proper Fit For Your Sports Mouthguard 

The fit of your mouthguard is the most important factor when it comes to being properly protected; but how do you check the fit? Here are four easy tips to see if your mouthguard fits correctly:

1. Your Mouthguard Should Be Comfortable

You may have read somewhere that mouthguards need to completely cover all of the upper teeth. But that is actually false and part of the reason why your mouthguard is making you gag.

In order to keep you from gagging, your mouthguard must avoid the soft palate — the fleshy, flexible part toward the back of the roof of the mouth. That means your mouthguard must end between the end of the first molar and midway through the second.

And don’t worry, a mouthguard cut properly actually provides better protection, as too much material towards the molars actually makes the mouthguard more uncomfortable without providing any additional protection. That material also makes it difficult to open and close your mouth. Your guard should fit snug against your upper teeth, without needing to bite or clench the mouthguard.

2. Don’t Bite Or Clench

This one is pretty straight forward, if you have to bite or clench to keep your mouthguard in place, your mouthguard does not fit properly.

Your mouthguard should stay securely and tightly on your upper teeth without falling out or shifting.

3. Protecting Your Roots

While your mouthguard shouldn’t completely cover your entire upper jaw, it must fit over part of your gums.

Your mouthguard helps to protect your gums from lacerations, and more importantly, shields the roots of your teeth. Just because your teeth are covered by your guard doesn’t mean the roots are fully protected and teeth can’t be dislodged by contact.

4. Say That Again?

Another way to check the fit of your mouthguard is to simply talk. Your mouthguard shouldn’t interfere with your speech or breathing, so if you can’t speak or breathe clearly, your mouthguard isn’t the right fit.

The material of your mouthguard should be limited or removed entirely from the free flow space in your mouth — the area behind the back of your front teeth and on the inside of your molars. This allows you to speak, breathe and even drink without removing your guard.

When it comes to the fit of your mouthguard, it simply needs to be comfortable. If your mouthguard is uncomfortable in any way, you have the wrong mouthguard and are not properly protected.

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Choosing a mouthguard if you wear braces

Not all mouthguards are created equal.  Most braces mouthguards are "one size fits all" - they are often loose fitting and offer little protection. Some can actually damage the brackets by forcing the teeth into one uniform size. This can put a lot of pressure on the brackets, causing them to snap off.  

A custom fit mouthguard will provide the best protection for a player's teeth and braces. A mouth guard that fits exactly to the shape of their teeth remains secure and provide protection to every corner and curve of the teeth that a one-size-fits-all just can't get to.

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Cleaning and maintaining your mouthguard 

You can use a lot of things to clean your mouthguard with including mouthwash, toothpaste and soap and water. Try to stay away from very abrasive substances as this may damage your mouthguard.

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How do I take care of my mouthguard to keep it clean?

In addition to cleaning your mouthguard, you can follow certain tips to keep it clean.

To care for your mouthguard:

• Let your mouthguard dry completely after cleaning it. This will help minimize bacterial growth.
• Store your mouthguard in a durable vented container when you’re not using it. The vents will help it dry.
• Clean your storage container every few days.
• Avoid exposing your mouthguard to hot water, hot air, or excessive sunlight. High temperatures can warp your mouthguard, making it less effective.
• Store your mouthguard away from pets that might chew on it.
• If your mouthguard falls on the ground or floor, clean it before putting it back in your mouth.
• Brush and floss your teeth before and after wearing your mouthguard.
• Never share your mouthguard with anyone.
• Bring your mouthguard to your dental checkups. Your dentist can give it a deep clean.

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When it comes to choosing a mouthguard a customised mouth guard will provide you with the best protection and most comfortable fit. A custom fitted mouth guard designed by your dentist achieves the most precise fit, using an exact impression of your teeth. 

Talk to your Tower Dental dentist in Balwyn about steps you can take to protect you and your family’s oral health while playing and exercising.