101 on mouth guards: Part I

What is a mouth guard?
A mouth guard or dental protector is a flexible device made of plastic that is used for athletic and any other physical activities to protect teeth from any possible traumatism.

Why should I wear a mouth guard?
You should wear them to protect your teeth from injuries. Dentists unanimously support the use of dental protectors, especially when practicing sports. Every year there are over 200 000 mouth and jaw injuries.

Do mouth guards avoid injuries?
The teeth protector, as it is also known, can prevent serious injuries like commotions, brain hemorrhages, conscious loss, maxillary fractures and neck injuries, since it avoids that the lower jaw gets incrusted into the upper jaw. Mouth protectors separate well teeth from the soft tissues of the mouth; avoiding in this way injuries and wounds in lips and cheeks, especially in people who use braces or any orthodontic device.

For which sport should I use a mouth guard?
Whenever there is the possibility of contact with other players or hard surfaces, mouth guards are recommended. If you practice a sport such as basketball, baseball, football, wrestling, soccer, lacrosse, rugby, skating, martial arts, and even riding a bike or doing skateboard, demand wearing a mouthguard.

Why should children wear mouth devices?
Sometimes, parents are unaware of the level and potential dental injury risks there are in the sport their children practice. Some schools make emphasis on the advantage it represents for health wearing a dental protector when practicing contact sports.