Usually mouthguards are associated with tough contact sports such as boxing; basketball or rugby. But the truth is that teeth are susceptible to breaking during almost any sport, even biking, skating, or ballet dancing (if you dance with a partner, you can receive an arm or a foot at surprising places during practices)!

Ok; maybe not ballet dancing 🙂 But a mouthguard will certainly protect your teeth from breaking during most sports or exercises. It is important to consider using one for your children, and also for yourself during competitive and recreational sports.

The American Dental Association (ADA) is the world’s largest and oldest national dental association, which promotes good oral health to the public. The ADA, as well as other dental associations, recommends wearing a mouthguard while practicing or playing a sport for the following reasons:

  • it cushions teeth against impact;
  • it protects against jaw joint injuries;
  • it protects against soft tissue injuries (lips and gums);
  • it helps prevent neck and jaw injuries;
  • it may help reduce concussion.

Those same dental associations recommends wearing custom mouthguards for the following sports, during all practices and competition:

  • acrobats;
  • baseball;
  • basketball;
  • boxing;
  • field hockey;
  • football;
  • gymnastics;
  • handball;
  • ice hockey;
  • lacrosse;
  • martial arts;
  • racquetball;
  • roller hockey;
  • rugby;
  • shot putting;
  • skateboarding;
  • skiing;
  • skydiving;
  • soccer;
  • softball;
  • squash;
  • surfing;
  • volleyball;
  • water polo;
  • weightlifting;
  • wrestling.

The information above should be used as a reference only. Any medical decision should not be taken before consulting a health care professional.

The masculine gender may have been more used in the article, but without prejudice, to make reading easier.

Category: Q & A