In A Pinch And Think Any Old Mouthguard Will Do? Think Again!

True or false: When you lose or forget your mouthguard on gameday, any old mouthguard works fine as a replacement, as long as you wear one. After all, it’s more important that you don’t get a penalty than it is to be properly protected.

False!

While it’s easy to assume that you must wear your mouthguard to simply follow the rules, there are actually very important reasons why you wear them. Mouthguards protect mouths … it’s not just a clever name.

So now that you know why you wear a mouthguard, let’s look at four reasons why you can’t just wear any old mouthguard:

1. Not All Mouths Are Created Equally

Everyone’s mouth is different. Similar to your fingerprints, your mouth is unique to you, and that means it’s essential that you get a mouthguard that’s been designed taking into account your exact individual mouth structure.

A proper fitting mouthguard must have a tight enough fit to firmly stay on your upper teeth without being held in place with the lower jaw. That means no biting or clenching.

When a mouthguard fits snuggly, it stays in place during any impact and won’t become dislodged. It should never be able to come loose and float around your mouth, and you should only be able to remove your mouthguard by pulling it out with your fingers. 

2. The Best Protection Protects Your Mouth … And Wallet

If you’re struck in the face or mouth while playing sports, it’s going to be painful; and without the proper protection, pain is going to be just the first — yet not the worst — result.

As an athlete, you have a 33-56% chance of receiving an orofacial injury — an injury to the mouth or face — during your playing career; particularly if you play a contact sport. And the face is one of the most sensitive areas of the body. That means lots of pain and blood, if injured.

With approximately 5 million teeth knocked out annually during sports and recreational activities, and a lifetime need for maintenance, appointments and surgeries costing approximately $20,000 to replace just one tooth, it’s highly important that you have the best protection possible.

And unlike a scar on the leg or arm, your face is always visible, and your smile leaves a lasting impression. Just imagine what happens when multiple teeth are lost or damaged with one hit!

3. Live In The Future, Not The Past

Today’s mouthguards are wildly different than the mouthguards of the past — thankfully! Gone are the days of boiling-and-biting a big chunk of rubber, as mouthguards are now produced using state-of-the-art materials and feature different options to personalize the mouthguard that’s right for you and your sport.

That means you’re getting higher performance mouthguards that are much more durable — which is particularly important if you’re a chewer.

And mouthguards now feature performance upgrades, like technology that locks the lower jaw in a slightly forward position, giving you 17% gains in extremity strength with less stress on the temporomandibular joint. According to Kinesiology studies, this helps make your body more relaxed for greater range of motion, flexibility and balance — meaning your athletic performance is actually enhanced by a mouthguard.

4. Your Mouthguard Speaks Volumes About You

While protection, performance and comfort are all important, let’s not forget — your mouthguard is a part of your uniform. Make it stand out!

With complete personalization — from color and logo to name and number — you don’t just get a piece of equipment, but a new favorite piece of team gear and an essential component to complete your game face.

If you think any mouthguard will do when you’re in a pinch, think again. Only a custom mouthguard gives you the protection, comfort and performance you need.

Accept No Substitutes

Author Bio

Bobbie Quinn, co-founder of Gladiator Custom Mouthguards, played both lacrosse and field hockey as a youth and went on to play Division 1 women’s lacrosse in college. Bobbie continues to play women’s league field hockey and enjoys watching her son play various sports.