How often should a Boxing Player change the Mouth Guard?

Players engaged in a wide variety of contact games - particularly boxing have to compulsively wear mouth guards in order to avoid injuries to teeth, gum and jaws. According to the California Dental Association, mouth guards are designed to help cushion the mouth, teeth and jaw to prevent significant damage from boxing injuries.

Mouth guards do have a reasonably long life. But, they should nonetheless be replaced at least yearly or possibly sooner depending on the amount of use. The unfortunate aspect is many boxers are superstitious and cling on to worn out mouth guards they consider lucky.

Mouth guards are made from a malleable material usually acrylic or rubber so they can be easily custom-fitted to your mouth. These raw materials are however not heat-resistant and hence boxers should preserve the mouth guard in a cool place. Or else, the mouth guard may melt and develop deformities forcing you replace them sooner than necessary.

Boxers must make it a point to regularly clean their mouth guards by brushing them using toothpaste and a toothbrush to remove any bacterial build-up, which may cause the rubber to degrade. Maintaining the mouth guard properly and with due care will allow it to last longer and you can change it less frequently.

According to study reports, custom-made mouth guards last longer than boil-and-bite mouth guards or pre-molded mouth guards. It is essential that the mouth guards fit well in the mouth and any ill-fitting mouth guard can lead to injuries. A well-fitted mouth guard should stay in place without having to clench your teeth. Boxers should immediately replace a mouth guard when it begins to wobble and does not fit snugly against the teeth. Sports trainers suggest replacing mouth guards for young boxers every year as they will be in their growing years.

Mouth guards have to be replaced as soon as they are worn out. When boxers put the mouth guards in and take them out of their mouths repeatedly, the mouth guards will wear out over time. Frequent use also causes the material used in mouth guard to thin out and lead to development of cracks or holes. Boxers must desist from chewing on their mouth guards while waiting to play as they can seriously impair the mouth guards necessitating premature replacement.

Boxers should replace their mouth guards at the first signs of overuse or extreme wear. Towards this end, it will be worthwhile to check your mouth guard every three months for holes, cracks or other signs of degradation. If you notice any of these, it is time to replace your mouth guard.

Like every other boxing accessory, if the mouth guard has to last longer, it has to be maintained well and here are a few useful tips:

• A boxer must brush his teeth and floss each time before wearing the mouth guard.
• The mouth guard has to be washed under running water each time after removal.
• Make sure the mouth guard is completely dried after each wash.
• Sunlight is a good disinfectant, but never allows the mouth guard to become too hot.
• Avoid skimping. Get a new one if the old one starts to taste unpleasant.
• Do not buy fancy designs. A clear gum shield will make visible any dirt or debris lodged in the crevices for easy cleaning.

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