A mouthguard – also called a bit – is a type of soft plastic cover that you place over the teeth in the upper jaw. The plastic is a few millimeters thick, strong and usually transparent.

Collecting power
A bit absorbs a blow to the teeth and distributes the force of the blow to all teeth. As a result, the force acting on a single tooth is usually so small that no damage occurs. So you can compare a mouthguard with a bumper.

If a tooth is knocked out despite wearing a bit, the mouthguard serves as a safety net so that the knocked out tooth does not get lost. The tooth can then be reinserted into the jaw.

Types of mouthguards
There are different types of mouthguards:

• You can buy ready-made mouthguards in the sports shop. They are cheap, but often fit poorly and offer insufficient protection. Many athletes hate it. As a result, the bit has been purchased, but is not worn.
• There is also the so-called preformed mouthguard. This must be adjusted in the mouth by the athlete himself after ten seconds in boiling water. This way you can adjust the shape to your own mouth. This is a relatively cheap mouthguard, which never quite fits.
• Finally, there is a mouthguard that is tailor-made by the dentist especially for you. In this category you have the individual mouthguard without a visit to the dentist: you make an impression of your own teeth with the help of a sent ‘kit’. You send this to a dental laboratory, which makes a mouthguard and sends it to you. In addition, you have the individual mouthguard, which is completely tailor-made by the dentist. This protector is recommended once the teeth are fully grown (over 16 years of age). It is more expensive, but offers more wearing comfort.

Tailored
You won’t have any problems with a good mouthguard during sports. Individual mouthguards are usually experienced as the most comfortable. These mouthguards have a better fit and have the least influence on breathing and speech. It is custom-made, fits well and protects the teeth optimally.

In which sports
Not all sports carry a risk of tooth injury. If you exercise, you can usually estimate this risk yourself. Sports where the risk of an accident with the teeth is very high, and where you actually have to wear a mouthguard, are: football, hockey, ice hockey and rugby. Mouthguards are necessary in boxing, kickboxing and other combat sports.

Tips

• The price of mouthguards differs. However, the price difference does not outweigh the misery and costs when one or more teeth are damaged or lost. Your teeth are worth it!
• Even if you wear braces, the dentist can make a good mouthguard without any problem. You should have this checked from time to time. Never use a ready-made mouthguard if you wear braces.
• Most accidents involving teeth happen during training. Therefore, do not only wear your mouthguard during competitions, but also during training.