Revista de medicina deportiva y estudios de dopaje

Usefulness of Mouth Guard in Active Sports

Abstract

Jitender Batra, Gyanander Attresh and Shanander Sambyal

Mouth guard is a flexible appliance worn over the teeth by the persons engaged in contact sports. Mouth guards reduce the traumatic impacts and act by preventing the impact from reaching the oral region or by cushioning, absorbing, or distributing the impact forces. They can be of stock type; mouth formed; or custom fitted type. Mouth Guard helps to protect against chipped or broken teeth, root and bone damage, and tooth loss and safeguards against serious injuries such as jaw fracture, cerebral hemorrhage, concussion and neck injuries. Compulsory and regular use of a mouth guard is beneficial in both ways i.e. protection from injury and increase in sportsman efficiency in certain sports. This short communication also highlights the basic requirements and uses of mouth guards.