The best mouthguard is the one your athlete will wear

A properly fitted mouthguard is one of the simplest ways to protect an athlete’s smile, and the fit makes all the difference.

Cleats, shin guards and water bottles make it into most sports bags, but the mouthguard is easier to forget. Many families think of it as gear for football only, and that leaves a lot of young players unprotected.

“It’s really important that student athletes wear mouthguards as they participate in sports,” says Scott Stafford, DDS, MBA, associate dean for corporate and alumni affairs at the UT San Antonio School of Dentistry. “We want to protect their teeth, their mouth and their gums as they participate.”

Not just for football

Football, lacrosse and field hockey come to mind first when people think about mouth injuries in sports. Stafford, who has specialized training in sports dentistry, points out that players in those sports often already wear a face mask or helmet with a cage.

“Other sports, volleyball, basketball, even baseball, can benefit from a mouthguard to really protect our student athletes,” he says.

A stray elbow under the basket, a hard dive for a ball or a bad hop on the infield can chip, crack or knock out a tooth. The American Dental Association notes that even noncontact activities such as gymnastics and skating can lead to dental injuries. By some estimates, as many as 5 million teeth are knocked out each year in sports.

Getting the right fit

A mouthguard only protects an athlete if it fits, stays in and is worn.

“It’s so important to make sure the mouthguard fits properly,” Stafford says. “If it’s not fitted well, it could actually do some damage.”

A loose or bulky guard can shift during play, make it harder to breathe and talk, and end up in a pocket or on the bench instead of in the athlete’s mouth. Stafford has said that comfort and confidence in the guard are key to whether athletes actually wear it.

There are three main types of mouthguards. Stock guards come ready to wear and cost the least, but they often fit poorly. Boil-and-bite guards are softened in hot water and then shaped to the teeth, which gives a closer fit. Custom guards are made by a dentist for one person’s mouth and offer the best fit and protection.

“We actually do digital scans and provide custom mouthguards that are 3D printed,” Stafford says.

Instead of a tray of impression material, the athlete’s mouth is scanned digitally. That scan is used to create a 3D model and a guard shaped to the athlete’s teeth. UT Dentistry uses the same process to provide screenings and custom mouthguards for San Antonio intercollegiate athletic and professional sports teams.

For younger children, a custom guard is not always practical. Between about ages 6 and 12, kids are losing baby teeth and gaining adult teeth, so their mouths change quickly.

“If it’s a younger child and they’re in what we call mixed dentition, or they have some primary teeth and some adult teeth, maybe a custom guard is not as feasible,” Stafford says. “An over-the-counter mouthguard, or what’s sometimes known as a boil-and-bite, might be an option for one season, but it’s important that the fit is proper. Parents should follow the instructions and even engage their dentist to help with the fitting. It’s important to make sure an athlete is comfortable with the guard so they will wear it throughout play.”

Athletes with braces should talk with their dentist or orthodontist about the right guard. A well-fitted mouthguard also protects the lips and cheeks from brackets and wires during a hit.

To keep a mouthguard clean and in good condition, the American Dental Association recommends a few simple habits.

• Rinse it before and after each use or brush it with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Clean it regularly in cool, soapy water and rinse well.
• Store it in a sturdy, vented case so it can dry out.
• Keep it away from hot water and direct sun and never leave it in a hot car.
• Bring it to dental checkups so your dentist can check the fit.
• Replace it when it shows wear, gets damaged or no longer fits. Growing kids may need a new one each season.

If a tooth gets knocked out

Even with a mouthguard, injuries can happen. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, the American Association of Endodontists advises picking it up by the crown, not the root, and rinsing it gently with water only if it is dirty. If possible, place the tooth back in the socket and have the athlete gently bite down to hold it. If that is not possible, keep the tooth moist in milk or inside the cheek and see a dentist right away, ideally within 30 minutes. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back in, but a dentist should still check the area.

Preseason exams and care

Dental exams are rarely part of a preseason sports physical. Stafford has noted that dentistry often gets involved only after an injury. A checkup before the season can catch problems such as infections or wisdom teeth that need to come out, so they can be treated before they sideline an athlete in the middle of the season.

“At UT Dentistry, we have adult and pediatric clinics, and we are well versed in being able to screen and do examinations and fit for these custom mouthguards,” Stafford says. “We’d be happy to do exams and check your student athlete and make sure they’re ready for a successful season.”

Whether your athlete needs a checkup or a properly fitted mouthguard, UT Dentistry has options for every age. The UT Dentistry Pediatric Dentistry Clinic provides comprehensive dental care for children from birth through their teens, and UT Dentistry’s Student Dental Clinic provides care for adults at reduced cost. 

To schedule an exam or mouthguard fitting, visit UTDentistry.org or call 210-450-3700.
 

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