DEFINITION:

A mouth guard is an appliance that covers the teeth, protecting them from damage or fracture, specifically applied when playing sports.

There are different types of mouth guards, such as prefabricated mouth guards, which are purchased in stores, are more or less adjustable. They cost less, but tend to be thick, cumbersome, and can make breathing difficult. There are also mouth Guards that are custom-made by a dentist, fabricated using impressions of the teeth in order to optimize the comfort and retention.

APPLICATIONS:

Mouth guards are used to:

•Reduce the risk of concussion.

•Reduce the risk of fractures of the jaws and of the teeth.

•Reduce the severity of injuries to the lips, cheeks, and the tongue.

Therefore, mouth guards are specially recommended to be worn when practicing most sports. They are also highly recommended during orthodontic treatments.

SOURCES:     Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (www.wikipedia.org).

                            WebMD, better information, better health (www.webmd.com).