Mouthguard for the mountain bike tour
Mountain biking is the trend. Whether it’s an alpine cross or a trial weekend for beginners: mountain bikers should not only focus on altitude, but also on good mouth protection during their vacation. This protects the teeth, mouth and jaw in the event of an accident. But the fun of driving is not without risk. Wet grass, an unexpected gravel road or tree roots can quickly stop the rapid ride.
Injuries to teeth, mouth and jaw are frequent consequences of a fall. Those who suffer only uncomplicated cracks in the tooth enamel are lucky. More serious injuries, including teeth that have been knocked out and jaw fractures, can necessitate a lifetime of dental care beyond the accident itself, and the associated follow-up costs. What’s more, in eight out of ten cases, the upper incisors, which are clearly visible, are affected in a dental accident.
Mouthguards – More protection, fewer injuries
Effective and at the same time easy to use is a mouthguard from the dental laboratory. The dental technician makes it individually for the athlete and the respective sport. Comparative statistics show that the risk of injury to the teeth, mouth and jaws in sports accidents hereby decreases by 60 percent.
“In contrast to the standard mouthguard from the sports store, the mouthguard custom-made by the dental technician fits perfectly,” explains Thomas Lüttke, master dental technician and board member of the Association of German Dental Technicians Guilds (VDZI). “This increases the protective effect and also the wearing comfort. Badly fitting mouthguards that prevent the athlete from breathing and speaking properly or that are too tight are quickly left at home,” says Lüttke.
An exact fit – individual mouthguards from the dental technician
For the individual mouthguard, the dentist takes impressions of the dentition and determines the position of the upper and lower jaw in relation to each other. According to the specifications, the dental technician makes a plaster model. Based on this model, he produces the splint using a special technique from various thin plastic plates. On the one hand, it must be elastic to have cushioning properties.
On the other hand, it must be rigid enough to distribute the forces acting in an accident over a large area. This can prevent dental injuries with a high probability.
In addition to protecting teeth and oral mucosa, wearing a mouthguard can reduce the risk of injury to the lips, tongue, upper and lower jaws, and temporomandibular joints. The risk of concussion is also reduced. The plastic is tasteless and does not release any substances into the oral cavity.
Immediately after wearing, the mouthguard should be rinsed under running water and cleaned with a toothbrush. Once the mouthguard is dry, the athlete should store it in a special box.
Better to prevent – avoid accidents
In most cases, the athlete wears the mouthguard in the upper jaw. The dental technician manufactures the splint so that the lower teeth fit exactly into the mouthguard from below when the mouth is closed. If desired, the dental technician can also produce the splint in one or more colors. It can even incorporate illustrations or inscriptions.
How to turn a medical precaution into cool sports equipment. This increases acceptance among children and adolescents as well.
The statutory health insurance companies do not cover the costs of about 120 to 180 euros. But in view of sometimes lifelong follow-up treatments in the event of a dental accident, they are a worthwhile investment in healthy and beautiful teeth – not only when mountain biking on vacation.
Initiative proDente e.V. – Facts
Five associations representing the entire dental service spectrum in Germany are involved in the proDente e initiative.V.:
The German Dental Association (BZÄK)
The Free Association of German Dentists (FVDZ)
The Association of German Dental Technicians Guilds (VDZI)
The Association of the German Dental Industry (VDDI)
German Dental Trade Association (BVD)
Why this initiative?
proDente has set itself the goal of providing in-depth knowledge in the fields of dentistry and dental technology. The initiative aims to provide dedicated patient education to support dentists and dental technicians.
proDente wants to show the value of healthy and beautiful teeth. Above all, the focus is on educational work from prophylaxis to prosthetics. For dentists and dental technicians, proDente presents a comprehensive range of services to facilitate communication with patients.
