Dr. Christina Binert & Associates
700 Coxwell Avenue, Toronto,
Ontario M4C 3B9
Phone: 416 - 461 - 2273

Coxwell Dental Care is a Dentist in East York, Ontario.

Mouthguard

What is a Mouthguard?
A mouthguard is a flexible, plastic appliance that is worn in athletic and recreational activities to protect teeth from trauma, damage or injury.
Why Should Mouthguards be worn?
Mouthguards should be worn when participating in athletics in order to protect your teeth from being injured. It is estimated that as many as 39 percent of all dental injuries are sports related. And an athlete is 60 times more likely to sustain damage to the teeth when not wearing a mouthguard.
Do Mouthguards prevent injuries?
A mouthguard can prevent serious injuries such as concussions, cerebral hemorrhages, incidents of unconsciousness, jaw fractures and neck injuries by helping to avoid situations where the lower jaw gets jammed into the upper jaw. Mouthguards are effective in keeping soft tissue in the mouth away from the teeth, preventing laceration and bruising of the lips and cheeks, especially for those who wear orthodontic appliances.
Who should wear a mouthguard?
All athletes. All ages. If you participate in sports regularly, as 45 percent of all women and men over the age of 15 do, you should wear a mouthguard. Any sport with a strong chance for contact with other participants or hard surfaces may require that you protect your mouth. Players who participate in basketball baseball, wrestling, soccer, squash, racquetball, lacrosse, rugby, in-line skating and martial arts, as well as recreational sports such as skateboarding and bicycling should wear mouthguards while competing.
Why don't more atheletes wear mouthguards?
Unless they participate in an organized sports league, many athletes won't be wearing mouth, face or hear protection. Many athletes resist wearing a mouthguard because of bulkiness. Knowing the available options and their advantages and disadvantages will help increase comfort and optimize protection. Talk to your dentist about the right mouthguard for you (see chart).
What are the factors affecting a good fit for a mouthguard?
Your dentist will consider a number of factors when fitting a patient for a mouthguard. Size of mouth, bite, type of sport played and whether or not you wear braces or other appliances are all important considerations. Each patient's very specific needs must be addressed for maximum comfort and protection.
Together you and your dentist can make informed decisions about your dental health.
Type Description Advantages Disadvantages
Stock or ready made Available in many sports stores. Usually made of rubber or polyvinyl. Inexpensive. No forming or impressions required. Generic fit, limited comfort, protection and durability. Often bulky and loose fitting. May interfere with breathing and speech.
Boil and bite or mouth-formed Mouthguard is heated in warm water. Fit achieved by biting into warm plastic, Usually made of acrylic gel or thermoplastic materials. Fairly inexpensive. Better fit than stock. Can be re-fitted if not properly made on first try. Not ideal for all patients. Heating process may weaken plastic. May feel bulky. Can interfere with speech and breathing.
Custom-made Available in sports stores. Dentist takes an impression of patient's mouth. Fabricated from a cast model of teeth. Optimal fit, protection and comfort. Most durable. Can be modified for specific sports and patient need. Does not interfere with speech or breathing. Initially more expensive and time - consuming in fabrication process.

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