A gum shield is an appliance you wear in your mouth if you play a sport that involves contact with the mouth, e.g., rugby, soccer, boxing, hockey, etc. The first report of gum shields being worn was in boxing in 1913; even then, it was realised that this simple device reduced the incidence of knock-outs following blows to the jaw. Gum shields are also known as sports guards or mouth guards.
They are designed to protect the teeth and surrounding tissues from trauma. It does this by absorbing the pressure of the trauma and distributing it evenly over the whole jaw, minimising the risk of injury. In addition, it will also protect the lips and cheeks from lacerations against the teeth.
Three main categories of gum shields
There are different types of gum shields, but the three main categories are:
- Off-the-shelf gum shields, which are ready to use, can be used temporarily while waiting for a custom-made gum shield. Unfortunately, they are a poor fit as they are designed to fit all mouths, which are not all the same! They easily drop out and are sometimes uncomfortable to wear.
- Boil to fit gum shields. These are made of thermoplastic material and can be softened in boiling water and then put into the mouth to shape. They are better than off-the-shelf ones due to the fit; again, they can fall out easily and can be a bit fiddly to mould.
- Custom-made gum shields are the gold standard for gum shields. They offer the best protection as they are made to fit exactly into the patient’s teeth. Numerous studies have shown an 80–90% reduction in dental injuries by wearing a custom-made gum shield. They remain fixed, never wear out, and are tough enough to resist the toughest blows. They come in a variety of colours, stripes, and checks.
Come along to see us at Creative Smiles so our staff can advise which gum shield is best for you!