Sports Mouthguards are not all equal – Which mouthguard is best for you?
Just because mouthguards are not required in every contact sport doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear one. Currently the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) only requires mouthguards for football, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, and wrestling - if the wrestler wears braces. But the American Dental Association recommends mouthguards for kids playing basketball, boxing, handball, martial arts, and rugby as well as a number of non-contact sports. Dentists are, after all, the ones who see the damage (and must attempt to fix it) when injuries happen, so their opinion should carry the most weight! Sports mouthguards are not all equal. There are different types of mouthguards that protect against a variety of different injuries. You’ll want to look at your kid’s particular needs to decide which one is right for you. Oral injuries can have lasting negative effects, so protecting the teeth and soft tissue is so important! After all, broken bones will heal. Knocked out teeth won’t grow back. So, let’s talk about your options:
Custom Fit
The first type of mouthguard your dentist may recommend is the custom fit. These are top-of-the-line and by far the most expensive. They are made by your dentist using impressions of your child’s teeth and provide protection for only the top teeth unless you buy two. The fit on this type of mouthguard is perfect which allows for easy breathing and speech, as long as your child doesn’t lose a tooth, have an adult tooth come in, or is in an orthodontic appliance like braces. In that case, your child’s mouth may be changing every 2 weeks and that can become expensive! Consult your dentist on adjustment costs.
Natural Fit
These protect both top and bottom teeth and are offered by many dentists as an affordable alternative to a custom fit mouthguard. They do not require boiling, are soft, flexible and comfortable – not bulky. The unique design naturally molds to your teeth each time you wear it. They combine all the best attributes of the other types available, along with the ability to wear with or without orthodontic braces. This construction also allows kids to talk or breathe easily without having to remove their mouthguard. Designed by an orthodontist, we have found the best sports mouthguard to be the DentaGard Kid’s Comfort PRO sports mouthguard. When in the mouth, it exceeds the 4 mm concussion reduction separation recommendation, and it protects the soft tissue from sharp brackets. Keep extras on hand so your kid (or their teammate - because one size fits all) doesn’t get DQ’d for forgetting their mouthguard at home. And you know how often a mouthguard gets lost!
Binky Style
Most of us like bling and that’s the attraction for Binky style mouthguards. They have become popular with kids because they come in so many designs that kids can set themselves apart. But this bling comes with injury risks. The protection provided is primarily from jaw impacts by keeping the top and bottom teeth separated upon impact. There is no soft tissue or real tooth protection. Most meet the 4mm thickness recommendation. Like so many things marketed to kids as “shiny” and “fun” they don’t do the best job at holding up their end of the bargain: protecting teeth. This type of mouthguard is bulky and only stays in if your mouth is closed. If you get hit and gasp, or you’re trying to say something, your mouth will be open, and your protection is gone. They are a good example of fashion over function.
Boil and Bite
These are quite common, and you may have even worn them as a kid. They are usually easy to find and reasonably priced. You can create a moderately customized fit by submerging them in very hot water and then biting down on them while hot to create an impression. But that’s about as fun as it sounds. Especially if your child is younger, this can be uncomfortable and even traumatic. After all, who wants to put a hot piece of plastic in their mouth? They are difficult to mold and often kids are not able to properly mold them. Also, kids tend to chew down the ends, rendering them functionally useless. Unfortunately, when in the mouth, coaches and referees are unable to see the mouthguard has been compromised. Most players only wear this type on their top teeth as it’s usually too bulky to wear an additional one on the bottom teeth. Most do not meet the 4 mm thickness recommendation. Boil and bites are also not recommended if you wear orthodontic braces.
Stock
Probably the easiest to find, and certainly affordable are stock mouthguards. That makes them really appealing in terms of replacing often or having extra on hand. They are about as customizable as small, medium, and large tend to be when fitting anything. While they are convenient, they are typically bulky, uncomfortable, and most require the jaws to be closed to hold it in place which limits breathing and speaking. You know kids, if it’s uncomfortable it will be a struggle to get them to wear it.
Considerations
It’s worth mentioning that to date there is not a mouthguard on the market that can prevent concussions. However, research shows mouthguards reduce the likelihood of concussions when there is at least 4 mm thickness separating the top and bottom teeth. Orthodontic brackets can scratch and cut the soft tissue inside the mouth. If your child is in orthodontic braces, we recommend finding a mouthguard that also protects the soft tissue. With so many options, there’s just no reason to let your kid play unprotected. Find a mouthguard that fits comfortably and securely and make it your job to ensure it gets worn without fail! They might not thank you now, but when they graduate with a healthy intact smile, they will. We invite you to browse our website to learn why the Denta-Gard® Kid's Comfort PRO™ is likely the best sports mouthguard for you.
