Mouth Protectors: Don't Play Without One

Says American Dental Association

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CHICAGO, Aug. 28, 1997-- Mouth protections are essential sporting equipment whether you're heading out for leisurely fun, exercise or organized sports, according to Jack Winters, D.D.S., an expert spokesman in sports dentistry for the American Dental Association (ADA).

More than two million teeth are knocked out every year, many of them from sports-related injuries. Dr. Winters says those injuries may have been avoided if the person was wearing a mouth protector or mouth guard.

The ADA says that mouth protectors are designed to absorb the shock of impact and deflect the force that can also cause jaw fractures and concussions.

"As a dentist, I think it's important to ask our patients what physical activities they are playing or involved with," Dr. Winters says. "Then we, as dentists, can construct the proper custom-fitted mouth protector for them which will be comfortable and allow the patients to speak while wearing it."

Dr. Winters says mouth protectors are appropriate for children and adults who are involved in recreational activities like bicycling, in-line skating, and pick-up basketball games, as well as for those who are involved in organized sports.

The most common types of mouth protectors are the stock mouthguards, the boil and bite mouthguards and custom-fitted mouth protectors.

• Stock mouth protector: Available in sporting goods stores. The consumer takes it out of the package and puts it in his or her mouth and begins the activity. These are inexpensive, but may interfere with speech and breathing.

• Boil and Bite: Also available in sporting goods stores. Consumer or dentist puts the mouth protector in water to soften it up before molding it to his or her (patient's) mouth. Also inexpensive, but should offer a better fit and interfere less with breathing and speech than stock mouth protector.

• Custom-fitted mouthguard: Individually designed and constructed in the dental office or professional laboratory. Somewhat more expensive than store-bought mouth protectors, but fits better, is more comfortable and doesn't interfere with speech or breathing.

The ADA believes any adult or child involved in a recreational activity that poses a threat of injury to the mouth can obtain smile protection with a mouthguard. Patients should ask their dentist what type of mouth protector would be best suited for the activities in which they are involved.

CONTACT: Jann Ingmire, e-mail: ingmirej@ada.org or Chris Martin, e-mail: martinc@ada.org, of the American Dental Association, 312-440-2806