You can buy mouthguards in all kinds of places. Sports equipment stores, of course. But also at pharmacies, supermarkets and from numerous sellers online. Almost seems like a commodity that you could simply pick up on your next milk run. It’s not. You’ll notice when you wear that mouthguard. When you get hit. And, in the worst-case scenario, when you receive the dentist’s bill for that new set of teeth.

Shortly put: it pays to know what you’re doing when you select and care for your mouthguard. Here’s your complete guide. Read it today.

You’ll thank yourself later.

Choose the right size

Getting the right size mouthguard is critical to both comfort and protection. And men and women are different. For example, females achieve full jaw growth around age 16 whilst males’ jaws keep growing until around age 21. And then you’ve got the pesky question of individual growth rates… people of the same age and gender might have quite different jaw sizes. Bottom line: your best bet is to take gender and age size guides as just that—guides—and base your final choice on perceived jaw size first and foremost.

The right size will go just deep enough to cover your second innermost molar (but not your first) on each side. It will naturally cover all of your front teeth, but also some of your gums. The mould material should virtually fuse with your teeth, and it’s fine for this softer material to overflow and cover a fair bit of your gums. But you do not want the hard outer material to hit the roof of your mouth or feel uncomfortable when you bite down. If it does, the mouthguard is probably too large for you. A mouthguard that’s too small, by contrast, will simply not cover your teeth properly and may feel uncomfortably tight, like you’re forcing it.

Achieve a perfect fit

The mould material inside the hard outer rims of boil-and-bite mouthguard is crucial to achieving a perfect fit. There has to be ample material, and it has to flow up seamlessly to virtually fuse with your jaw as you make your imprint. It also has to retain the fit over time. That’s why lobloo uses a proprietary mould material, and plenty of it. Costs more to manufacture, but the upsides to comfort, protection and durability are priceless. And with our vacuum-fit method, the mouthguard will feel as though it’s just a new, strong part of you.

Clean and maintain

Bacteria can be detrimental to your dental health and also break down your mouthguard prematurely. Know how to keep yours clean and well-maintained in the long term. Here are the key points:

• Rinse your mouthguard with cool water before and after use.
• Using a non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush, clean your mouthguard after each use.
• Do not use hot water or abrasive cleaners, as doing so may deform or damage the material.
• Store your mouthguard in a well-ventilated container that allows it to dry thoroughly.
• Replace your mouthguard as soon as it starts showing signs of wear and tear or no longer fits properly (you’ll notice that quality mouthguards will last way longer than the generic ones you can pick up at the corner store).

Keep it cool and handy

If you live in a hot climate, be aware that high temperatures can deform your mouthguard. So, avoid leaving your mouthguard in direct sunlight or in your car. Keep it in a cool, dry place, such as a custom case or container. And keep it accessible. A fantastic mouthguard is of no use if it’s not there when you need it, and mouthguards are all too often left behind. With lobloo’s mouthguard case, you can keep it clipped to your training bag. It’ll be protected, well-ventilated, and right there when you gear up for the next sparring session or fight.

All of these things might seem like much to do about nothing. But there’s a huge difference between a mouthguard that keeps annoying you, fits poorly and protects worse and a quality mouthguard that enables you to drink, breathe and talk whilst offering maximum protection in the long term.

Make that extra little bit of effort and investment to keep that sparkling smile in place. When it comes to mouthguards, foresight beats hindsight by a wide margin.

Paul Walden
lobloo Research & Development