Mouthguard for Sports

A mouthguard is a specially made, rubber-like cover which fits exactly over your teeth and gums, cushioning them and protecting them from damage.

It is important to wear a professionally made mouthguard whenever you play sport which involves physical contact or moving objects. This includes: cricket, hockey and football — which can cause broken and damaged teeth; and American football, boxing and rugby — which can all lead to broken or dislocated jaws.

Your dentist can make you a custom-made mouthguard, which will fit your mouth exactly and protect your teeth and gums. This can prevent damage to the jaw, neck and even the brain — helping to prevent the concussion and damage caused by a heavy blow.

Mouthguards are made by taking an accurate impression of your mouth. The dentist will register the way your jaws bite together to make sure the mouthguard fits properly over your teeth.

The chances of a sports-related injury to the mouth and jaw are minimized by wearing a mouth guard, which best explains why you need one. Athletic mouth guards are thin, flexible pieces of plastic that are placed in the mouth and over the teeth to protect oral structures during any sports activity.

There are cheaper kits available which involve heating the product in hot water and then putting it in your mouth until it sets into the desired position. These mouthguards can fit badly and be uncomfortable to wear. The material is also at its thinnest where protection is needed most.

You cannot get mouthguards on the NHS, so costs can vary from dentist to dentist but start from approximately £100.