The Importance of a Properly Fitted Mouthguard
Aug 15, 2011

The Maine Principals’ Association requires mouthguards be worn to play football, ice hockey, field hockey, and soccer. Sadly, in our opinion, this requirement is inadequate. There are many other sports and activities that carry an inherent risk of injury that necessitate the wearing of a mouthguard. Every year, we see injuries from basketball, baseball and softball that could have been minimized or prevented had the athlete been wearing a mouthguard. We also see dental injuries from other “non-contact” sports such as skiing and mountain biking.

The American Dental Association strongly recommends some type of mouth protection for any sport (or activity) that carries the risk of a blow to the mouth or face. With that in mind, we have some suggestions as to who does or does not need a mouthguard:

  • Football: yes
  • Soccer: yes
  • Field hockey: yes
  • Ice hockey: yes
  • Basketball: YES! (elbows are everywhere)
  • Wrestling: yes
  • Gymnastics: probably a good idea
  • Baseball/Softball: YES!
  • Downhill Ski Racing/snowboarding: yes
  • Mountain Biking: Yes
  • Equestrian events: maybe
  • Karate/MMA: Yes
  • Chess: No (!)

Unfortunately, the word “mouthguard” is universal and generic, and includes a large range and variety of products, from “over the counter” models bought at the sporting goods stores to professionally manufactured and dentist prescribed custom made mouthguards. Presently, over 90% of the mouthguards worn are of the variety bought at sporting good stores. These tend to be bulky, resulting in poor fit, difficult speech and difficult breathing. The other 10% are of the custom made variety (what we fabricate here at Glen Cove Dental Associates). The difference in fit and comfort between any of the “stock” variety of mouthguards and a custom fitted guard is night and day!

We strongly believe a properly fitted mouthguard should be considered an essential piece of equipment for most athletes. A properly fitted guard must be protective, comfortable, resilient, tear resistant, odorless, tasteless, not bulky, cause minimal interference to speaking and breathing, and (possibly the most important criteria) have excellent retention, fit, and sufficient thickness in critical areas. To satisfy all these criteria, only a dentist prescribed custom fitted mouthguard will do.