Of all the body parts, the mouth area is injured the most during contact sports.

What does a mouthguard do?

• A mouthguard acts like a protective shock absorber that helps to protect and cushion your teeth, lips, mouth and jaw when playing contact sports.
• Wearing a mouthguard can help to prevent serious injuries like concussions, broken jaws, chipped teeth and cuts to your tongue and cheeks.

When is wearing a mouthguard a good idea?

• During any sport where the mouth is at risk for injury. A few examples are hockey, basketball, football, soccer and wrestling.

How do I take care of a mouthguard?

• Rinse your mouthguard under cool water after each use and air dry.
• Occasionally clean it with a mild soap and water.
• Check your mouthguard regularly. If it shows signs of wearing down, tearing or cracking, it must be replaced. If it is custom made, contact your oral health professional.

Are there different kinds of mouthguards?

Choosing a mouthguard is very important. There are three types of mouthguards to choose from:

• Custom-made
  They are made by a oral health professional and are individually designed, which ensures the best fit.

• Self-adapted
  They can be purchased in most sports stores. They are moulded to fit the mouth by boiling the mouthguard in water and then biting into the warm plastic. They can feel bulky and interfere with breathing and speaking.

• Ready-made
  They can be purchased in most sports stores. They come in many different shapes and sizes but little can be done to adjust the mouthguard to fit your mouth properly. They are often too bulky, loose, uncomfortable, and can interfere with breathing and speaking.

A friendly reminder...

Regular dental check-ups help ensure a healthy mouth.