Mouthguard

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An example of a mouthguard used in the treatment of bruxism

A mouthguard (also known as a mouth protector, mouth piece or gumshield) is a protective device for the mouth that covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce injury to the teeth, arches, lips and gums. Mouthguards are most often used to prevent injury in contact sports, as a treatment for bruxism or TMD, or as part of certain dental procedures, such as tooth bleaching.

History

An early mouthguard was developed in 1890 by Woolf Krauze, a London dentist to protect boxers from lip cuts and lacerations. The modern mouthguard design started from the work in the 1970s done by Dr. A. W. S. Wood, a Canadian pediatric dentist who was aiming to reduce and prevent harm injuries to children's teeth in hockey games.^[1]

Uses

Sports

Mouthguards are used in sports where deliberate or accidental impacts to the face and jaw may cause harm. Such impacts may occur in many sports including: baseball, boxing, martial arts, rugby, wrestling, soccer, American football, Australian football, lacrosse, basketball, figure skating, hockey, underwater hockey, water polo, skiing and snowboarding. Mouthguards may also prevent or reduce harm levels of concussion in the event of an injury to the jaw.^[2][3]

Many sports, schools or local state health laws make the use of protective mouthguards compulsory for participants.^{[citation needed]}

Medical

Mouthguards may be used as splints to treat temporomandibular joint disorder and bruxism. A thin acrylic mouthguard appliance is often used during tooth bleaching.

Types of mouthguards

Stock or ready made

Manufactured in a pre-formed shape in various sizes but with nearly no adjustment to fit the user's mouth. The only adjustment possible is minor trimming with a knife or scissors.

Mouth adapted or "boil and bite"

A thermo-plastic material manufactured in a pre-formed shape in various sizes that can be adapted to fit more closely to an individual's teeth and gums by heating and molding such as boiling then placing in the mouth.These mouth guards are usually made of Ethylene-vinyl acetate[1][2].

Custom made

An impression of the users teeth is used by specialist manufacturers to create a best-fit mouth protector.

References