| There are many devices used to protect a | | | | having mouth guards become one of the required |
| person's teeth, gums and smile. One of these is | | | | sports equipment for their children who are active |
| known as the mouth guard. Mouth guards are | | | | in athletics. Mouth guards are a safe choice that |
| usually thought to be worn only by boxers in the | | | | are highly recommended by the American Dental |
| ring and football players on the field. Most people | | | | Association for sports like basketball, acrobatics, |
| may not be aware that these mouth pieces are | | | | discus throwing, gymnastics, ice and field hockey, |
| actually needed for many other purposes other | | | | martial arts, rugby, lacrosse, and a host of other |
| than boxing and playing competitive football. In | | | | sporting events that involve forceful physical |
| fact, without the use of mouth guards, there will | | | | contact and exertion. |
| be a huge sector of society with very damaged | | | | There are an estimated 39% of mouth and |
| mouths, indeed. | | | | dental injuries each year, with 80% affecting the |
| One of the reasons mouth guards are important | | | | front teeth and with over 5 million teeth knocked |
| is because of people who grind their teeth, | | | | out the mouths of children during practice and |
| particularly at night in their sleep. This condition is | | | | actual sports competitions. Mouth guards, |
| known as bruxism. It is characterized by a person | | | | therefore, will act as additional protection to |
| clenching their teeth and grinding them together, | | | | prevent the occurrence of grave teeth injuries |
| creating unnatural grating noises. | | | | and other soft tissue (e.g., tongue, gums) damage. |
| People who have bruxism tend to damage their | | | | Mouth guards are also important for drivers of |
| teeth early on, giving them worn- down, damaged | | | | vehicles who travel long-distance over rough |
| teeth and an unsightly smile. If they happen to | | | | terrain, or even cowboys who drive cattle across |
| wear dentures, bruxism will mean having to | | | | rugged environments. The bumpy rides of |
| replace broken dentures more often than should | | | | all-terrain vehicles and the horses can damage the |
| be necessary. The cost of bruxim is great indeed, | | | | riders' teeth. Mouth guards are one preventive |
| not only with the loss of confidence that comes | | | | measure to avoid potential mouth injury. |
| with unattractive teeth, but the expense of | | | | In some instances, people who have recently had |
| having to get them repaired or to have new | | | | dental surgery will also require the use of mouth |
| dentures made all the time. | | | | guards to prevent dislodging sutures or irritating |
| The solution to this problem is to be fitted with a | | | | the wound. Mouth guards serve to protect areas |
| night mouth guard. People can buy this mouth | | | | of the mouth recently operated on from food, |
| piece over-the-counter, or have their dentist | | | | saliva and other irritants. |
| custom-fit them for one. Customized mouth | | | | Mouth guards are also useful for people who wear |
| guards are often a better choice because they fit | | | | braces. The protective barrier provided by mouth |
| better and are more comfortable. | | | | guards shields the more delicate tissues of the |
| Another reason mouth guards are important is to | | | | lips, tongue and gums from the metal of the |
| protect children who participate in competitive | | | | braces. |
| sports. Parents should always be vigilant about | | | | |