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Across many sports clubs on a Saturday morning a similar thing is happening. People are frantically searching their gear bag, asking someone if they have a spare and then desperately looking for the club house kettle to heat their mouthguard and shape it to their mouth. While this seems to be a standard bit of panic, probably far too regular and showing a lack of foresight and preparation by a host of sports players it is also a good thing. People value their teeth and in some sports it is incredibly dangerous to play without a mouth guard. There are even sports where the referee will not let you play if you do not have a mouthguard. The sporting organisations and bodies have recognised how important player safety is and a mouthguard is a key piece of equipment.

When people think of mouthguards they often think of protecting their teeth. It is certainly true that mouthguards will prevent dental injuries that would otherwise occur if one was not worn; why you should wear a mouthguard goes much further than basic dental injuries. It is a common misconception that dentists are concerned solely with teeth. Dentists however are trained medical experts and are capable of dealing with and knowledgeable about a wide range of oral care practices. Mouthguards are not only about protecting teeth, much as their name implies they protect the whole mouth. If you look at a high impact sport, with heavy tackles and shoulder charges teeth injuries are common but there are also other dangers. When you take a hit there is a high chance that your mouth will clamp closed, it is a natural reaction. Without mouthguards it would be a common occurrence for players to suffer bites resulting in serious cuts and scars, all inflicted by the player on themselves. There have even been cases where someone not wearing a mouthguard has bitten through their own tongue

For many people wearing a mouthguard is uncomfortable: it affects your ability to speak and it can even affect your breathing. Sports stars at the top of their profession rarely wear the €10 mouthguards bought in sports shops. They do in emergencies, if they have lost their personal mouthguard but almost every professional has a mouthguard made from a mould of their teeth. When amateur and casual players are spending huge amounts of money on the same gear the professionals use: boots costing over €100, jerseys that are designed to wick sweat away, muscle supports and compression vests it seems a bit strange that the same level of investments is not made for mouthguards.

For most sports player’s mouthguards are a necessity; however they do not see them as important as the other paraphernalia associated with their sport. If you are serious about your game, dedicating time and money to your hobby and leisure time then a good, dentist made mouthguard is a valuable addition. It will be easier to wear, you will be able to communicate and breathe without difficulty, most dentists will be more than capable of making one for you and most of all it will protect your smile.