Health Leader, What You Should Know About Mouth Guards

What is a mouth guard?

A mouth guard is a flexible appliance made out of plastic
Worn in athletic and recreational activities to protect teeth from trauma

Why should I wear a mouth guard?

Protects your mouth from injuries
Dentists advocate the use of mouth guards in a variety of sports activities
More than 200,000 injuries to the mouth and jaw occur each year

Do mouth guards prevent injuries?

A mouth guard can prevent serious injuries such as concussions, cerebral hemorrhages, unconsciousness, jaw fractures and neck injuries by avoiding situations where the lower jaw gets jammed into the upper jaw
Mouth guards are effective in moving soft issue in the oral cavity away from the teeth, which prevents laceration and bruising of the lips and cheeks, especially for those who wear orthodontic appliances

In what sports should I wear a mouth guard?

If there is a strong chance for contact with other participants or surfaces
Currently, five sports at the amateur level require mouth guards during practice and competition: boxing, football, ice hockey, men's lacrosse and women's field hockey

Why don't kids wear mouth guards?

Parents are sometimes uninformed about the level of contact and potential for serious dental injuries involved with sports in which the child participates
Some, though not all schools, reinforce the health advantage of mouth guards for their contact sports
Cost may be another consideration, although mouth guards come in a variety of prices

How should I care for a mouth guard?

Clean your mouth guard by washing it with soap and warm (not hot) water
Before storing, soak your mouth guard in mouthwash
Keep your mouth guard in a well-ventilated plastic storage box when not in use
Make sure the box has several holes so the mouth guard will dry
Heat is bad for mouth guards, so don't leave it in direct sunlight or in a closed automobile
Don't bend your mouth guard when storing
Don't handle or wear someone else's mouth guard

Reprinted with permission from the Academy of General Dentistry

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Health Tip:

Microwaves and 'Erupted Hot Water Phenomena'

Hot-water eruption can occur if you use a microwave oven to super-heat water in a clean cup. ("Super-heated" means the water is hot beyond boiling temperature, although it shows no signs of boiling.)

A slight disturbance or movement may cause the water to violently explode out of the cup. There have been reports of serious skin burns or scalding injuries around people's hands and faces as a result of this phenomenon.

Adding materials such as instant coffee or sugar to the water before heating greatly reduces the risk of hot-water eruption. Also, follow the precautions and recommendations found in microwave oven instruction manuals; specifically the heating time.

More microwaves safety tips.