How to Wear a Mouth Guard: Protection Against Dental Injury

Contents hide

3 Wearing A Mouth Guard: Tips For A Good Fit

4 Wearing A Mouth Guard: How To Care For A Gum Guard

Wearing a mouth guard is a very simple process that can protect you against dental injuries. The entire process of fitting your mouthguard only takes a few seconds but provides valuable protection against injuries that can damage your teeth, tongue, lips, and jaw. In this article, we are going to explain how to wear a mouthguard for maximum protection.

Wearing A Mouth Guard: How It Works

Essentially a mouthguard is a barrier between your two jaws. It needs to fit snugly and be customised for your mouth shape to offer maximum protection. High-quality, custom-fitted mouthguards are made from thermoplastic that acts like a shock absorber in the event of trauma to your mouth.

How To Wear A Mouth Guard

Remove the mouth guard from its protective case
The first time you fit your mouth guard, you may want to do it in front of a mirror. Line it up with the centre line of your upper arch and carefully position it around your teeth.
Bite down with your teeth while pushing your fingers upwards in the centre of the mouth guard. Use your tongue to suck upwards, to create a vacuum on your palate.
Use your tongue and fingers to make sure it is firmly in position.

Wearing A Mouth Guard: Tips For A Good Fit

A mouthguard is most effective when it is made to measure the contours of your mouth and teeth. These are some of the features of a protective mouth guard:

It should allow you to speak and breathe clearly.

A custom-fitted mouthguard should not cause a gag reflex or interfere with your ability to breathe. It should also not affect your speech, and your teammates should be able to understand you when communicating.

It should fit securely. The mouthguard shouldn’t move around when you run, and you shouldn’t need to hold it in place with your fingers or tongue.
It should cover your teeth correctly. A well-fitting mouthguard should end between your first and second molars so that it doesn’t cover your soft palate too much. It should cover your teeth to offer maximum protection.
It should be odourless and tasteless and not be a distraction during your sports practice or match.

Wearing A Mouth Guard: How To Care For A Gum Guard

Caring for your mouthguard will keep it in good condition for longer:

Do not immerse it in boiling water or expose it to direct sunlight, as this can affect its shape and fit.
Clean it after each use using soapy water, and rinse it afterwards.
Store it in a well-ventilated case and allow it to air dry.
Inspect it for signs of wear and tear. A damaged mouthguard doesn’t offer the same level of protection. You can expect to replace it every 12 to 18 months.

Wearing a mouthguard is an important safety measure that can protect your mouth and teeth against dental injury during contact sports. For a fitting or professional help on how to wear a mouth guard, please give us a call: Buderim: (07) 5317 1023 Caloundra: (07) 5315 8076 REFERENCES Mouthguards https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10910-mouthguards Mouthguards: Everything You Need To Know https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/selecting-dental-products/mouth-guards-everything-you-need-to-know