How to Avoid Common Mouthguard Mistakes

How to Avoid Common Mouthguard Mistakes

Best Mouthguards are essential for protecting your teeth, gums, and jaw during sports and other high-impact activities. However, improper use, poor maintenance, or choosing the wrong type of mouthguard can reduce its effectiveness and leave you vulnerable to injury. To ensure you get the best protection and performance from your mouthguard, it's important to avoid common mistakes that athletes and recreational users often make.

This guide will help you identify and correct these common mistakes, ensuring your mouthguard works effectively to keep you safe.

1. Choosing the Wrong Type of Mouthguard:

One of the biggest mistakes athletes make is selecting the wrong type of mouthguard for their needs. Mouthguards come in different types, and each offers varying levels of protection, comfort, and fit:

Stock Mouthguards are pre-made and ready to wear. They are often bulky and offer minimal protection since they aren’t tailored to the individual’s mouth. They are also uncomfortable and can obstruct breathing or communication during sports.

Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards offer a slightly better fit because they mold to the shape of your mouth after being softened in hot water. While more customizable than stock versions, they still lack the precision fit and protection of a custom-made guard.

Custom-Fitted Mouthguards are designed by a dentist specifically for your mouth. They offer the best protection, comfort, and fit. Athletes involved in high-contact sports should consider custom mouthguards, as they provide the highest level of protection.

Avoid this mistake by:
Understanding the level of contact in your sport and choosing a mouthguard that offers the right balance of protection and comfort. Custom-fitted mouthguards are often the best option for serious athletes.

2. Not Wearing Your Mouthguard Regularly:

Many athletes make the mistake of not wearing their mouthguard consistently during practice or games. Skipping the mouthguard even occasionally can lead to dental injuries from unexpected impacts or accidents. Mouthguards are designed to prevent injuries like chipped teeth, broken jaws, and concussions, but they can only protect you if they’re worn every time you're on the field, court, or ring.

Avoid this mistake by:
Making it a habit to wear your mouthguard at all times during physical activity, not just during games. Consistency is key to reducing injury risk.

3. Improper Fitting:

Even if you have a mouthguard, if it doesn’t fit properly, it won’t offer the protection you need. An ill-fitting mouthguard can be uncomfortable, distracting, and may shift or fall out during play, defeating its purpose. Poor fit can also lead to problems like difficulty breathing or speaking, which can affect your performance.

Avoid this mistake by:
Opting for a custom-fitted mouthguard if possible. If you're using a boil-and-bite mouthguard, be sure to follow the instructions carefully to achieve the best fit. If the mouthguard still feels uncomfortable or doesn’t sit well, consult a dentist for advice.

4. Neglecting Proper Cleaning and Maintenance:

A common mistake is failing to clean the mouthguard properly after each use. Mouthguards can harbor bacteria, fungi, and viruses, which can lead to oral infections, bad breath, or more serious health issues. Over time, a dirty mouthguard can also degrade in quality, reducing its protective capabilities.

Avoid this mistake by:
Rinsing the mouthguard with cool water after each use, and regularly cleaning it with a toothbrush and mild soap or mouth rinse. Some people even use specialized cleaning solutions designed for mouthguards. Always store your mouthguard in a ventilated case when not in use to keep it dry and free of bacteria.

5. Using a Damaged or Worn-Out Mouthguard:

Mouthguards are subject to wear and tear, especially for athletes who play contact sports regularly. Using a mouthguard that is cracked, torn, or worn down significantly reduces its ability to protect your teeth and gums.

Avoid this mistake by:
Regularly inspecting your mouthguard for signs of wear and replacing it as soon as it becomes damaged. A good rule of thumb is to replace your mouthguard at the start of each sports season, but you may need to replace it more often depending on the intensity of your sport.

6. Storing Your Mouthguard Incorrectly:

Improper storage of a mouthguard can lead to bacterial growth, warping, or other forms of damage. Athletes often throw their mouthguards into gym bags, lockers, or pockets without proper cases, leading to unhygienic conditions and exposure to heat, which can warp the guard.

Avoid this mistake by:
Always storing your mouthguard in a ventilated, hard-shell case when not in use. Keep the case in a cool, dry place, and avoid leaving it in hot areas, such as in direct sunlight or inside a car, to prevent warping.

7. Assuming Mouthguards Are Only for Contact Sports:

While mouthguards are often associated with contact sports like football, rugby, and boxing, they are beneficial for athletes in non-contact sports as well. Sports like gymnastics, skateboarding, and cycling carry a risk of falls and impact injuries, where a mouthguard could prevent dental injuries.

Avoid this mistake by:
Recognizing that mouthguards are useful for a wide range of sports, not just those involving direct contact. If there's any risk of impact to the face, wearing a mouthguard is a smart preventive measure.

8. Not Replacing a Mouthguard After Major Dental Work:

If you've had major dental work, such as getting braces, crowns, or other orthodontic treatments, your old mouthguard may no longer fit properly or offer the protection you need. Continuing to use an old mouthguard after such changes can result in poor fit and reduced safety.

Avoid this mistake by:
Consulting with your dentist to get a new custom-fitted mouthguard after significant dental work. Even boil-and-bite mouthguards may need to be replaced as your teeth and jaw shape change.

9. Ignoring Discomfort:

If your mouthguard causes discomfort, such as gagging, pain, or difficulty breathing, it can affect your ability to perform in your sport. Some athletes try to ignore discomfort, but this can lead to poor performance or, worse, reluctance to wear the mouthguard altogether.

Avoid this mistake by:
Ensuring your mouthguard fits well and is comfortable. If you experience discomfort, consider a custom-fitted option, as they are designed specifically for your mouth. Never ignore discomfort, as it may be a sign that the mouthguard isn't fitting properly or that you need a different type.

10. Believing One Size Fits All:

Each athlete’s mouth and dental structure are unique, so a "one size fits all" approach to mouthguards is often ineffective. A stock or poorly fitted mouthguard may fail to protect your teeth properly and could even worsen an injury in some cases.

Avoid this mistake by:
Investing in a mouthguard that suits your individual needs, whether that’s a boil-and-bite option for moderate sports or a custom-fitted mouthguard for high-impact sports. Custom mouthguards provide a superior fit and maximum protection.

Conclusion:

Mouthguards are vital for protecting athletes from dental and jaw injuries, but to ensure they work effectively, it’s crucial to avoid common mistakes like poor fit, inadequate maintenance, and infrequent use. Whether you’re involved in contact sports or high-risk recreational activities, taking care of your mouthguard and using it properly will help you stay safe and perform your best.