Mouth guards: sports mouthguards / football protectors / athletic mouthpieces

In general you will find that there are three basic types of mouthguards that are available: stock mouthpieces, "boil and bite" mouthguards, and custom guards.

Stock mouthguards.

Availability: Retail outlets such as sporting and drug stores.

Cost: $1 to $15

The term "stock mouthguard" refers to preformed mouthpieces that are sold ready to be used without any additional customization by the wearer. This type of mouthguard is usually the cheapest type of guard, but in this instance it seems to be an example of you get what you pay for. The level of protection provided by stock guards is usually minimal.

In most cases you will find that stock mouthguards are only manufactured in just a few sizes (typically small, medium, and large). As a result for many athletes these guards will be uncomfortable to wear and will not stay in place well. Also related to these same size limitations, stock mouthguards often will not cover over all of the back teeth as is needed for adequate protection.

To compensate for the poor retention of a stock mouthguard an athlete will often clench their teeth together, so to hold the guard in place. This clenching activity can make it difficult for the player to speak and breathe, which in turn may provide a reason for them not to wear it. In some cases an athlete may attempt to improve the functionality or comfort of their stock mouthguard by way of trimming it, but this type of customization can serve to compromise the level of protection that the guard can provide.

"Boil and bite" mouthguards.

Availability: Retail outlets such as sporting and drug stores.

Cost: $1 to $40

A "boil and bite" mouthguard refers to a type of guard that is made out of thermoplastic materials. The idea is that the athlete customizes the fit of the mouthguard by immersing it in hot water (until it becomes soft and pliable) and then placing it in their mouth and subsequently using their fingers, lips, tongue, cheeks, and biting pressure to seat and form the contours of the guard.

Boil and bite mouthpieces are the most used type of mouthguard. If choosing this type of mouthpiece a size must be chosen that covers all of the wearer's front and back teeth. A criticism of this type of protector is that during the customization process the thickness of the plastic covering the chewing surface of the teeth can become thin, thus minimizing the amount of protection that the guard is capable of providing. Another common criticism aimed at boil and bite mouthguards is that they can be bulky. The retention of this type of mouthguard can be expected to be better than a stock guard buy not as good as the fit of a custom mouthguard.

Custom mouthguards.

Availability: These guards are usually obtained from the athlete's dentist or a company providing dental laboratory services.

Cost: $100 to $300

Custom mouthguards are sports mouth protectors that are individually made for an athlete. A well-designed custom mouthguard is typically considered to be able to provide the greatest level of protection for an athlete as compared to either a stock or boil and bite guard. The design of a custom guard can be individualized not only for the athlete but in some cases also for the specific sport that will be played when it is being worn.

The fit and comfort of a custom mouthguard can be expected to be excellent. The more comfortable and unobtrusive a mouthguard is the greater the likelihood that the athlete will wear it at all times. Additionally, the retention of a custom guard can be expected to be superior and therefore produce less interference with speech and breathing than other types of guards. While the cost of this type of appliance is more than a stock or boil and bite mouthpiece it should be considered money well spent.

How are custom mouthguards made?

When a custom mouth guard is made the process begins by way of taking a dental impression. To do so, an "impression tray" is filled with "impression material" (a putty-like substance that sets within a few minutes after having been mixed). The filled impression tray is then seated over the athlete's teeth and gums. Once the impression material has solidified, the tray is removed. Even when set, impression materials are still flexible.

The dental impression is then filled with plaster so to form a cast. The net result is that a three-dimensional representation of the athlete's hard and soft tissues (that the mouthguard needs to cover over) has been created. A dental lab technician will then create the mouthguard so it fits on the plaster cast accurately. Once the mouthguard has been fabricated, it is dispensed to the athlete for use.