Mouth guards: An essential piece of athletic equipment Published Sept. 15, 2015 By Master Sgt. Susan Liebig 354th Medical Operations Squadron EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- New to Eielson and need a mouth guard? Mouthguards are an essential piece of equipment for every athlete. Mouthguards help cushion potentially damaging blows to your face, decreasing the chances of breaking teeth and harming your lips, cheeks, and tongue. The American Dental Association identifies athletes as 60 times more likely to damage their teeth when not wearing this protective device during sporting activities, like football, basketball, ice hockey, gymnastics and volleyball. There are three different varieties of mouth guards to consider. One variety is custom-fit mouth guards made specifically for an individual. This type of mouthguard is created by taking impressions of a patient's teeth to create a custom fit. While these mouth guards typically offer the best fit, they are the most expensive. A more cost effective alternative to the custom mouth guards is the boil-and-bite version. These are designed to be submerged in warm water to soften the material. Once softened, it is inserted into the mouth, where it forms to the shape of the teeth by biting into it. These mouth guards offer more protection than stock guards and are available at most sporting goods stores. They are also available at the Dental Clinic (377-6767) and the Fitness Center (377-1925) on base. On the lowest end of the spectrum is stock mouth guards, which can be bought off the shelf and worn. This type of mouthguard is a one-size-fits-all solution. While these types of guards offer protection and are inexpensive, they generally do not fit well. Additionally, stock mouth guards offer the least protection and tend to be bulky. For more information on choosing a mouth guard, please contact the dentist or visit the ADA website at www.ada.org.