Why wear a mouth guard in martial arts?
The mouth guard not only protects the teeth, but also the upper and lower jaw. It stabilizes the teeth and thus their anchoring. And it enables controlled breathing. Protective equipment is mandatory in official competitions, so the mouth guard must be worn anyway.
Not least for this reason, it makes sense to put it on during training. Because once you get used to the mouth guard, it is easier to breathe evenly.
This is how the mouth guard works in boxing
The mouth guard is intended to absorb the impact and blow energy, which is why deformable, soft materials are a good option.
If the upper and lower jaws are pressed tightly together, the energy can be absorbed without damaging the teeth. And it is not just the teeth and jaw that are protected: the mouth guard absorbs the impact energy and does not pass it on to the brain.
This can also mitigate or completely prevent a concussion. In addition, the mouth guard is always a protective layer between the teeth: they do not hit each other.
Specifically: The mouth guard prevents these types of injuries:
· Broken teeth and loose teeth
· Injuries to the jaw, including fractures
· Concussions
· Cracked lips and even cheeks
· Injuries to the muscles in the neck area
Tips on cleaning and care
The mouth guard should always be kept in a case or pouch provided for it when it is not in the mouth. This protects the little helper from dirt and damage.
The mouth guard should also be cleaned regularly under running, lukewarm water to prevent any existing caries infections from being treated further. A toothbrush and simple soap can be used for cleaning, but toothpaste is not because of the abrasive particles it contains.
It is normal for very light-colored devices to discolor in the mouth after a few weeks or months. This is a cosmetic problem, and the mouth guard is usually replaced at this point.
It also needs to be replaced if it breaks or becomes damaged in any other way, if it no longer fits, if it keeps falling out, or if the jaw grows (normal in children, for example).
