Mouthguard
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A mouthguard is a device that fits into the mouth over one or both arches of teeth to protect against injury during contact sports.
Mouthguards, also known as a mouthpieces or gumshields, are most commonly used in sports where injuries to the face are a major hazard, such as martial arts, rugby, wrestling, football, basketball, hockey and boxing.
The most common mouthguard is the "boil & bite" type, which is boiled, then placed in the user's mouth, where it will mold to that person's teeth. There are also very inexpensive stock mouthguards which have almost no ability to adjust to the user's mouth, and custom ones, made from a dentist's impression of the wearer's teeth.
In many cases their use is now compulsory by the rules of the sporting code[1], by local state health laws. Schools also often have rules requiring their use[2].
[edit] Non-sporting use
They may also serve a medical purpose such as splints used to treat temporomandibular joint disorder and bruxism. Also, a thin, acrylic mouthguard appliance is often used during tooth bleaching.
[edit] History
Mouthguards or "gum shields" were originally developed in 1890 by Woolf Krause, a London dentist, as a means of protecting boxers from lip lacerations. Dr. A. W. S. Wood, a Canadian paediatric dentist, worked to improve the design as a way to better prevent injuries to children's teeth in hockey games. [3]
[edit] References
- Good description of the types available
- "An evaluation of mouthguard requirements and dental injuries in New Zealand rugby union", British Journal of Sports Medicine 2005;39:650-651
- "Do mouthguards prevent concussion?", British Journal of Sports Medicine 2001; 35:81-82
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