WATCH YOUR MOUTH ! - Part Two

First, WATCH THIS: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Zg6U0sAaDg8

Now that you know how important it is to wear a mouthguard when playing basketball, let's talk about the 3 most common types of mouthguards you can purchase:

Types of Mouthguards

Ready-Made, Stock Mouthguards – these fit loosely over the teeth and the wearer usually needs to keep his/her mouth closed to keep in place. This can interfere with speaking (not to mention breathing) and can limit your effectiveness out on the court. While they are the least expensive, these are considered to be the worst fitting and least protective kind of mouthguard.

Boil and Bite Mouthguards – most commonly found in sporting good stores, these mouthguards are first put in hot water and then placed in the mouth so that it can be shaped to fit your teeth. When shaped correctly, they provide better protection than the stock mouthguards but they may not provide as much shock-resistance as custom made mouthguards.

Custom-made Mouthguards – These Mouthguards are custom-made in your dentist’s office and, when made properly, provide the best fit, comfort, speech and breathing. They also fit better over braces.

How to Know if You've got the Right Mouthguard

The right mouthguards should:

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  Fit properly and feel comfortable


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  Be easy to clean


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  Not make it difficult to speak or breath
  
  
  How to care for your mouthguard
  


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  Rinse your mouthguard before and after each use.


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  When not wearing it, keep your mouthguard in a sturdy container that allows air in through holes or vents.


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  Don’t leave your mouthguard out in the sun or hot water.


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  Don’t chew or cut pieces off your mouthguard.


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  Bring your mouthguard with you to your dentist appointments to check that it still fits.


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  Check it regularly and replace it when it's old (2-5 years), outgrown, or cracking.

For more information about mouthguards, go to

http://www.sportsdentistry.com/mouthguards.html