When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age. They help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. Studies show that athletes are 60 times more likely to suffer harm to the teeth if they’re not wearing a mouthguard.
There are three kinds of mouthguards:
1. Custom-fitted. These are made by your dentist for you. They are more expensive than the other versions, but because they are customized, usually offer the best fit.
2. Stock. These are inexpensive and come pre-formed, ready to wear. Unfortunately, they often don’t fit very well. They can be bulky and can make breathing and talking difficult.
3. Boil and bite. These mouth protectors can be bought at many sporting goods stores and drugstores and may offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. They are first softened in water (boiled), then inserted and allowed to adapt to the shape of your mouth.
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