Sports dentistry is one of the most recent and upcoming field in dentistry. It mainly includes the prevention and management of athletics-related orofacial injuries and associated oral diseases. The sports or team dentist assists athletes in the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of oral injuries.

Dental injuries are the most common type of orofacial injury sustained during participation in sports with the increased popularity of contact sports and encouragement to participate at an early age, the role of the dental profession in relation to prevention of dental and other orofacial sporting injuries has become more important in view of this. Athletes, coaches, athletic directors, athletic trainers, parents, and members of the dental community should be aware of how individuals who participate in sporting activities are at risk for dental trauma. The common orofacial sports related injuries include soft tissue injury and hard tissue injury includes those to the teeth and facial bones, such as tooth intrusions, luxation, crown and/or root fractures, complete avulsions and dental-facial fractures. Orofacial injuries that occur during sports activities are largely preventable. Mouth protection for athletes is one of dentistry's contributions to sports medicine. It is the responsibility of the dental profession, therefore, to become more active in sports injury prevention programs. Mouth guards provide protection against injuries to the orofacial area, including the teeth, lips, cheeks and tongue, thereby reducing the incidence and severity of injuries that occur during athletic practice and competition. They also have been shown to prevent head and neck injuries, concussions and jaw fractures. Many athletes are not aware of the health implications of a traumatic injury to the mouth or of the potential for incurring severe head and orofacial injuries while playing. The dentist can play an imperative task in informing athletes, coaches and patients about the magnitude of dental sciences in preventing orofacial injuries in sports. Education of all those involved is the key. Team physicians, dentists, athletic trainers, and coaches must take into consideration both the athlete's previous medical history and the sport. Our emphasis must be on improving the quality of mouth guards for player safety as one way of attempting to reduce the incidence of concussion in athletes. There is need to popularize the use of orofacial protective devices in a variety of sports events by interacting with coaches, sports administrators and sports persons as well as familiarizing the Indian dentists in a relatively new field.

In sports, the challenge is to maximize the benefits of participation and to limit injuries. Sports dentistry has a major role to play in this area. Prevention and adequate preparation are the key elements in minimizing injuries that occur in sport. For sports dentistry the prevention of oral/ facial trauma during sporting activities can be helped by many facets. Included are teaching proper skills such as tackling technique, purchase and maintenance of appropriate equipment, safe playing areas and certainly the wearing and utilization of properly fitted protective equipment.

In some sports, injury prevention, through properly fitted mouth guards are considered essential. These are the contact sports of football, boxing, martial arts and hockey.

Other sports, traditionally classified as non-contact sports, basketball, baseball, bicycle riding, roller blading, soccer, wrestling, racquetball, surfing and skateboarding also require properly fitted mouth guards, as dental injuries unfortunately, are a negative aspect of participation in these sports.

Determination of the need for a specific type and design of mouth guard is made. Mouth guard design and fabrication is extremely important. There are four types of mouth guards according to the dental literature. Type I Stock, Type II Boil and Bite, Type III Vacuum Custom made, and Type IV Pressure Laminated Custom made.

If everyone had the same dentition; were of the same gender; played the same sport under the same conditions; had the same experience and played the same position at the same level of competition, and were the same age and same size mouth, with the same number and shape of teeth, prescribing a standard mouth guard would be simple. This is the precise reason why mouth guards bought at sporting goods stores, without the recommendation of a qualified dentist, should not be worn.

Sports Dentistry also includes the need for recognition and referral guidelines to the proper medical personnel for non-dental related injuries which may occur during a dental/facial injury. These injuries may include cerebral concussion, head and neck injuries, and drug use.

Mouthguards

When Should You Wear a Mouthguard?

When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age.
While collision and contact sports, such as boxing, are higher-risk sports for the mouth, any athlete may experience a dental injury in non-contact activities too, such as gymnastics and skating.

Types of Mouthguards

The best mouthguard is one that has been custom made for your mouth by your dentist. However, if you can’t afford a custom-made mouthguard, you should still wear a stock mouthguard or a boil-and-bite mouthguard from the drugstore. Learn more about each option:

• Custom-made : These are made by your dentist for you personally. They are more expensive than the other versions because they are individually created for fit and comfort.

• Boil and bite : These mouth protectors can be bought at many sporting goods stores and drugstores and may offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. They are first softened in water (boiled), then inserted and allowed to adapt to the shape of your mouth. Always follow the manufacturers instructions. CustMbite MVP is a boil and bite mouthguard that has earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

• Stock : These are inexpensive and come pre-formed, ready to wear. Unfortunately, they often don’t fit very well. They can be bulky and can make breathing and talking difficult.

Protecting Your Braces

A properly fitted mouthguard may be especially important for people who wear braces or have fixed bridge work. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances. A mouthguard also provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek or lips, which will help you avoid injuries to your gums and cheeks.
Talk to your dentist or orthodontist about selecting a mouthguard that will provide the right protection.
Although some mouthguards only cover the upper teeth, your dentist or orthodontist may suggest that you use a mouthguard on the lower teeth if you have braces on these teeth.
If you have a retainer or other removable appliance, do not wear it during any contact sports.

Mouthguard Care and Replacement

Talk to your dentist about when is the right time to replace your mouthguard, but replace it immediately if it shows sign of wear, is damaged or ill fitting. Teens and children may need to replace their mouthguards more often because their mouths are still growing and changing.

• Between games, it’s important to keep your mouthguard clean and dry. Here are some tips for making sure your mouthguard is always ready to go:
• Rinse before and after each use or brush with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Regularly clean the mouthguard in cool, soapy water. Then, rinse it thoroughly.
• During your regular dental checkups, bring your mouthguard for an evaluation. Your dentist may also be able to give it a thorough cleaning.
• Store and transport the mouthguard in a sturdy container that has vents so it can dry and keep bacteria from growing.
• Never leave the mouthguard in the sun or in hot water.
• Check fit and for signs of wear and tear to see if it needs replacing.
• Some mouthguards have fallen victim to family pets, who see them as chew toys. Store your mouthguard and case somewhere your pet cannot get to it.

Features of Mouthguard

• Shock absorbing concussive forces to lower jaw.
• Protection against neck injury
• Distributing force of blow all over surrounding teeth & gums.
• Adequate material thickness,maximum occlusal coverage.

A snugly fit customized mouthguard when in place causes forward and downward movementof movement of the jaw.Opening the space between glenoid fossa and condylar head.Any impact to the lower jaw reduces the possibility of direct impact of head of condyle to the glenoid fossa,thereby decreasing impact and forces to the entire temporal region.