A sports mouthguard is an appliance that is worn over the teeth to protect them from damage in the event of a blow to the face or head. Sports mouth guards, mouth guards and oral protectors are different names for the same appliance. For people involved in sports that involve falls, body contact or flying equipment, then a mouthguard is an important piece of sports protection. It is suitable for any kind of activity that causes injury to the mouth such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer, boxing, taekwondo, skateboarding, gymnastics, mountain racing, etc. The mouth guard usually covers the upper jaw teeth and it is used to prevent tooth fractures, lip injuries and other injuries to the mouth. If you wear an orthodontic appliance or other device in your lower jaw to hold your teeth in place, your dentist may recommend a mouth guard to protect those teeth. What are the different types of mouth guards? No matter what type of mouth guard you choose, it should be flexible, have high tensile strength, and be comfortable. It should also fit properly in the mouth and not interfere with speaking or breathing. The three types of mouthguards are: 1. Custom-made mouthguards: These are specially designed and made for different individuals in dental clinics or professional dental laboratories. Without a doubt, this type of mouthguard is the most comfortable to wear and also provides the greatest degree of protection. The dentist takes an impression of your teeth and then makes the mouthguard according to the shape of your teeth. Most people prefer custom-made mouth guards because they fit the teeth and are more comfortable. 2. Heated, bite-sized mouthguard: The shape of this mouthguard is pre-formed; the shape can be changed by heating the mouthguard in water and then biting it in the mouth, thus making it suitable for different individuals. This mouthguard is available in many sporting goods stores, but its fit is poor and its comfort is poor, so it is the second best choice. 3. Pre-formed mouthguard: This mouthguard is cheaper and is pre-formed and ready to wear. Unfortunately, these mouth guards usually do not fit well. They are bulky and can interfere with breathing and speech. How long should I use my mouthguard? Mouth guards will wear out over time and they will become less effective, so in theory they should be replaced every season. It is especially important for teenagers to change their mouth guards because their mouths continue to grow and their teeth will continue to develop until they reach adulthood. Many athletes involved in several sports get new mouth guards every six months when they have their dental exams.