Mouth guards smart choice for protecting smiles

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Elka Sanchez
  • 355th Medical Group patient advocate
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Are you ready for some football?

Yes, it is that time of year again when it is time to take to the frozen tundra of Tucson for some football. It could be your child playing in a youth league or it could be you playing intramurals on base. Either way, it's easy to take your teeth for granted until they're suddenly gone.

Have you ever thought about how it would feel if you lost one or two of your front teeth? You'd probably avoid smiling. It would be uncomfortable talking with someone face-to-face. It wouldn't be easy pronouncing certain words. And how about eating an apple?

Each year, thousands of people get hurt on the playing field, the basketball court, or while skateboarding, biking or during other activities. Blows to the face in nearly every sport can injure your teeth, lips, cheeks and tongue.

A properly-fitted mouth guard or mouth protector is an important piece of athletic gear that can protect your teeth and smile. You may have seen them used in contact sports, such as football, boxing, and ice hockey. However, you don't have to be on the football field to benefit from a mouth guard.

New findings in sports dentistry show that even in non-contact sports such as gymnastics, soccer, and field hockey, mouth guards help protect teeth. Many experts recommend that a mouth guard be worn for any recreational activity that poses any risk of injury to the mouth.

There are three types of mouth guards: The ready-made, or stock, mouth guard; the mouth-formed "boil and bite" mouth guard; and the custom-made mouth guard made by your dentist. All three mouth guards provide protection but vary in comfort and cost.

An effective mouth guard should have several features: It should be resilient, tear-resistant and comfortable. It should fit properly, be durable and easy to clean, and not restrict your speech or breathing. Generally, a mouth guard covers only the upper teeth, but in some cases the dentist will instead make a mouth guard for the lower teeth. Your dentist can suggest the right mouth guard for you.

Here are some suggestions for taking good care of your mouth guard:

- Keep it clean! Before and after each use, clean it with a toothbrush.
- After every couple of uses, disinfect it by soaking it for 15 minutes with an antiseptic mouth rinse like Listerine.
- When it's not used, place your mouth guard in a firm, perforated container. This permits air circulation and helps prevent damage.
- Avoid high temperatures, such as hot water or direct sunlight, which can distort the mouth guard.
- Check it for tears, holes and poor fit. A damaged mouth guard can irritate your mouth and lessen the amount of protection it provides.
- Have regular dental checkups and bring your mouth guard along so the dentist can make sure it's still in good condition.

The 355th Dental Squadron is available to help. We offer "boil and bite" mouth guards that can be picked up at the base gym or at the dental clinic. For active duty members, we would be happy to make you a custom mouth guard by appointment. Don't take your teeth for granted. Protect your smile with a mouth guard.