Mouth Guard Taekwondo

Sports Mouthguards-Protecting Your Teeth with a "Golden Shield"

If you've ever watched the Olympics, you may have noticed that many athletes in high-intensity sports display colorful teeth when they open their mouths-and the colors vary from person to person. What are those? They even look kind of cool!

Those colorful "teeth" are actually sports mouthguards. During athletic activities, injuries are common, especially to the teeth and mouth.

Among dental injuries, 15.4% are caused by sports. Of those, individuals aged 20–40 make up 50%, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.75:1.

1. What Is a Sports Mouthguard?

A sports mouthguard, also known as a "sports dental guard," is a flexible device worn over the upper teeth. It cushions, absorbs, and disperses impact forces, effectively preventing and reducing facial injuries during physical activity.

When athletes bite down on a sports mouthguard, it can also enhance overall muscle strength, helping them perform at their best and achieve better results in competition.

Mouthguards protect the brain, reduce the likelihood of oral tissue injuries, and minimize the severity of trauma in high-impact, contact sports by cushioning blows to the face and teeth.

2. Types of Sports Mouthguards

The International Society of Sports Dentistry (ISSD) and the American Dental Association (ADA) jointly recommend that athletes wear sports mouthguards during training and competition in any sport involving potential physical contact.

Sports mouthguards are generally worn on the upper dental arch. For close-contact combat sports like boxing, both upper and lower teeth are often protected. There are three main types of mouthguards: preformed, mouth-formed, and custom-made.