A mouth guard is essential for kids or adults engaging in contact sports and various other recreational activities. The ideal mouth guard should be well-fitting, comfortable and should allow you to breathe easily. They should also be easy to clean and should not wear out easily.
You can find these in various kinds of organised sports such as footy, martial arts, rugby, basketball and ice hockey among many others. However, their use is not limited to organised sports. If you are participating in various impact-based recreational activities, the mouth guards will also come in handy. Some of the activities in which you can use this protective gear include skateboarding, skating and cycling. Use them in any kind of activity in which you are likely to come into contact with people or objects that could cause serious mouth injuries.
While most mouth guards look similar, they are not. You still have to consider certain features and choose one that will be adequately suited for your needs. Some of the factors that you may need to look at include the age of the person, individual needs and preferences among others.
Here is a simple guide on how to pick the right mouth guard that will suit your needs:
Check If It Has The Right Protection
The right mouth guard should have sufficient protection. Ideally, the material should have a minimum thickness of 4mm, especially in the most crucial impact areas such as below the molars and the in front of teeth. The mouth guard shouldn’t be too bulky in the areas of the mouth that do not require lots of protection.
The thickness zones vary depending on the zones of the mouth that you wish to protect and these, in turn, depend on the type of sport that you are engaging in. There are certain contact sports such as ice hockey where the player wears a helmet to protect their face from frontal impacts. In this case, the mouth guard won’t need a thick frontal profile and the protective function will be concentrated beneath the molars. Because these are team sports, the mouth guards should also allow for clear communication and allow the player to breathe easily.
In sports such as field hockey where the player does not wear a helmet, it is advisable to have a mouth guard that offers the player extra frontal protection from frontal impact from a high velocity ball, stick or other players.
Does The Mouth Guard Have The Right Fit?
It isn’t enough for the mouth guard to have good profile in the right places. It should also have the right fit in your mouth. This is the best way to guarantee both comfort and protection. Our mouths are quite different so whatever mouth guard that you purchase should be one that is best suited for your unique mouth structure and size. The guards should firmly fit into place in the upper jaw and shouldn’t have to be supported by your lower jaw. You shouldn’t have to bite or clench your teeth for the mouth guards to stay in place.
This snug fit allows the guard to stay firmly in place and not be dislodged even during a high impact. Without a good fit, the mouthguard is likely to loosen and “float” inside the mouth, which can be a huge distraction. They should only come off when you pull them off your jaws using your fingers.
The Mouth Guards Should Have The Right Sets Of Accessories
The design of the mouth guards has improved considerably over the years. Instead of a huge soft rubber that you force into your mouth, you now have the option of the state-of-the-art mouth guards with precise fit. Thus, it is possible to buy an excellent mouthguard that is almost customised for the structure of your mouth.
Today’s mouth guards are not just durable but also provide players with better performance in contact sports. You should look for various technological upgrades or accessories that will boost their performance such as a design that can lock the guard in place so that it does not come off easily. Your athletic performance is usually enhanced when you have a well-fitting and comfortable mouthguard.
Personalisation Features
Some athletes will look for more than just the performance of the mouthguard. They will also be after various personalisation features that will appeal to their tastes and preferences. These can include everything from the logos to the color and design. Some aren’t just looking for an essential sport gear but a piece that will complement the game-face of the team.