What Are Mouth Guards?

Where Should I Get My Mouth Guard?

• You can buy a mouth guard for as little as a couple of dollars to up to around $23 from websites and sporting goods stores, sometimes more depending on the type and source. Mouth guards can also be fitted by dentists or orthodontists for quite a bit more, though some dentists donate their time to fit mouth guards for youth or high school sports. Mouth guards can be specially fitted over braces, and while some are available from sporting goods manufacturers, it pays to check with your child's orthodontist to ensure that you have the best protection for your multi-thousand-dollar investment, not to mention your lips and gums.

Should I Have My Mouthguard Fitted by a Dentist?

• Dr. Daniel Phillips, an orthodontist in Oregon, has said that there's little advantage to having your dentist provide your mouth guard, other than the dentist's familiarity with your or your child's oral health history. Your dentist may have better advice for avoiding injury and may even give you advice on how best to fit your mouth guard, but buying and fitting one yourself gives almost the same protection. It's really a matter of preference, he says.

What kind of mouthguard should I get?

• Mouth guards can be purchased with or without a case and with or without a tether, which is commonly attached to a face mask, such as in football. If not attached to a face mask you will want a case to transport the mouth guard in whatever tote or transport you have so it won't gather grit and other attachments. If you or your child (whoever needs the mouth guard) has stopped growing and you plan on playing the sport for which you're buying the guard either professionally or for a very long time, then getting something high-end is not a bad idea. If it molds to your mouth a little better and provides more than nominal protection, think of the dental work you could be saving yourself down the line. Just ask a hockey player.

When Is a Mouth Guard Required?

• Everyone should have mouth guards whenever their sport requires it, especially for kids in contact sports such as football and lacrosse. In cases where braces are concerned, however, even a child playing baseball or softball might benefit from a mouth guard, especially if it's fast pitch.
  Mouth guards are also required, or at least advised, for anyone taking boxing, kickboxing or any martial art that requires sparring with ballistic contact such as punching and kicking. Even though sparring typically is done with careful teacher supervision and limited force, accidents happen, especially with beginning students. Other gear may include head protection, gloves and ankle pads. Be sure to check with your instructor to determine what gear he or she recommends.

Fitting Your Mouth Guard

• Fitting a mouth guard is almost as simple as boiling water. In fact, that's the first step. You'll need about a 3-quart saucepan with about 3 to 4 inches of water brought to a boil. Have right next to the stove a glass of cold water and, if the mouth guard is not attached to a tether, a slotted spoon or tongs.
  Put the mouth guard into the boiling water. If tethered, hold onto the tether either with your hand or with tongs (to avoid steam burns). Keep the mouth guard in the boiling water for about 10 to 12 seconds, according to manufacturer recommendations, which should be written on the package. Take the guard out of the boiling water using the tether, tongs or slotted spoon and put it into the glass of cold water for about 2 seconds. An alternative method would be to put it under cold running water for about 2 seconds. Lick your lips (or have your child lick her lips) and place the mouth guard, groove side up, into the mouth. Bite down naturally. Hold this for about 5 to 10 seconds, or until the mouth guard cools to the same temperature as the mouth. Take it out, dry it off and you're done. If the fit is not exact or comfortable, most mouth guards can be re-boiled and re-fitted right after it cools. If it's been awhile since the mouth guard was fitted and your child has grown or the mouth has changed in some way (lost or new teeth, moving teeth), it's better to buy a new mouth guard and start over to ensure the best fit possible.

Alternative Fits

• Some mouth guards for braces are not boiled at all and are fitted with an entirely different set of directions. There may be a bottom guard as well. As noted earlier, however, it may be best to check with your orthodontist before fitting a mouth guard over braces.
  Other mouth guards for specific professional or extreme sports may be fitted more specifically, with tongue- and jaw-alignment directions. Always read the mouth-guard package thoroughly to guarantee the best fit possible.