Making better mouthguards to prevent sports injury

Mouthguards have been around for almost 100 years and were initially used only by boxers. Early types were made from a piece of natural rubber that had been trimmed and hollowed out so they would fit over the maxillary dentition and were worn to prevent teeth from becoming chipped or broken. These mouthguards were not adapted to fit the teeth and the jaws had to be clenched to hold them in place, which made it difficult for wearers to breathe (Chapman, 1989; Flanders, 1993).

It is a concern that this type of ‘unfitted’ mouthguard can still be bought today, although the materials have changed, with polyethylene vinyl acetate (pEVA) being substituted for rubber. Most sports shops sell them and, surprisingly, they are sometimes recommended to sportsmen and women by their dentist.