Sunday 10 February 2013

Mouthguards - tips on care for your mouthguard

TIPS ON CARING FOR A MOUTHGUARD

  • Mouthguards can be rinsed with cold water or with a mouth rinse before and after each use and/or clean it with toothpaste and a toothbrush
  •  Occasionally clean the mouthguard in cool, soapy water and rinse it thoroughly 
  • Place the mouth guard in a firm, perforated container to store or transport it, this permits air circulation and helps to prevent damage 
  • Protect the mouthguard from high temperatures - such as hot water, hot surfaces, or direct sunlight to minimise distorting its shape 
  • Occasionally check the mouthguard for general wear, if you find holes or tears in it or if it becomes loose or causes discomfort, replace it 
  • Bring the mouth guard to each regularly scheduled dental visit to have your dentist exam it

Mouthguards - Complying with the new Rule

COMPLYING WITH THE NEW RULE 
The GAA recognise that Clubs may be worried about compliance with the new rules and specifically what will happen if a player forgets or does not have a mouthguard on the day of a game. The suggestion in this context is that each Club should purchase a supply of the Stock or Boil and Bite mouthguards for use in such situations ( which the player buys from the club).
Rule 4.3, GAA Official Guide, Part 2 states that 
‘In all Football games and Practice Football Sessions, it is mandatory for all players to use a mouth guard’. (Note: Effective dates of this Rule – For Grades up to and including Minor – January 1st 2013; For all players – January 1st 2014)
 If a player refuses to comply with a Referee’s instruction to wear a mouth guard, he will incur the penalty as outlined in (Rule 6.2, Rules of Foul Play, The Playing Rules of Football, Official Guide, Part 2, 2012) ‘Caution the offender; order off if he persists’.

Players will not be covered under the Player Injury Scheme if they are not wearing a mouthguard. The claim form will be updated to reflect this new requirement. Please ensure the only the most recent edition of the claim is used from January 1st 2013. Use of the old claim form will result in delays in claims processing times. The most recent version of the claim form will be available on GAA.ie under Club Zone - GAA Insurance and Injury Scheme and also at Willis.ie under Group Scheme - GAA Injury Scheme

 SOME QUESTIONS 
1. When does the new rule come into effect?
 A. From January 1st 2013, all players playing in grades up to and including Minor will be required to wear a mouthguard in all Football Games and Football Practice Sessions.
2. When does the ruling come into effect for adult players? 
A. From January 1st, 2014 all players at all grades will be required to wear a mouthguard in all football games and practice sessions.
3. What will happen if I am not wearing a mouthguard in a game?
A. If a player refuses to comply with a Referee’s instruction to wear a mouthguard, he will initially be cautioned by the Referee and if the player continues to refuse, the Referee can send him off.
 4. Who is responsible for ensuring mouthguards are worn at training or practice sessions?
A. In general, it is a matter for each Club to ensure the rule is adhered to at training or practice sessions. Clubs and players should note that players will not be covered under the Player Injury Scheme if they are not wearing a mouthguard.
5. Do players have to wear a mouthguard in Hurling games?
A. No. The new rule only applies to Football; however, wearing a mouthguard when playing Hurling does reduce the risk of dental injury.
 6. I am a Minor playing on an adult team in 2013. Do I have to wear a mouthguard?
A. Not in 2013. The wearing of mouthguards in 2013 is compulsory at all age grades up to Minor. However, a player playing at Under 21 or adult level in 2013 is not required to wear a mouthguard under rule.
7. Our Club has a nursery, are children in these juvenile age groups exempt from wearing a mouthguard? 
A. No. The Medical, Scientific & Welfare Committee advise that children should begin wearing a mouthguard at whatever age they start playing. Young mouths need protecting too and if players start wearing mouthguards at a young age this will add greatly to the development of a culture of wearing mouthguards in Gaelic Football.
8. Does this rule apply to Ladies Football? 
The Ladies Gaelic Football Association has not announced plans to make the wearing of mouthguards compulsory in 2013. However, girls participating in GAA Grades up to and including Under 12 must wear a mouthguard as per Riail 4.3 Treoir Oifigiúil (T.O.) Part 2 2012. & Riail 6.16 T.O. Part 1 2012.
9. Does the new rule regarding the wearing of mouthguards apply to games in Primary Schools?
A. If an official GAA coach is coaching Gaelic games in primary schools then children must wear a mouthguard to participate in the session. In terms of PE sessions, the GAA has no control over what activities or games teachers choose to deliver during PE lessons. However, we would advise that wearing mouthguards for Gaelic games will significantly reduce the risk of sustaining dental injuries.
10. Who is responsible for enforcing the rule in Cumann na mBuncsol Football Practice Sessions and Games? 
Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta are subject to the General Rules of the Association, it is a matter for each School to ensure that the rule is adhered to by their pupils in Practice Sessions and Football Games.
11. Do I have to wear a mouthguard whilst playing Second Level games?
A. Yes. From January 1st 2013, all Second Level players will be required to wear a mouthguard in all Football Games and Football Practice Sessions.
12. Do I have to wear a mouthguard whilst playing Third Level games? A. Not in 2013. From January 1st 2014 all players at all grades must wear a mouthguard.
13. Does this apply to overseas players?
A. Yes. International Units are subject to the General Rules of the Association.
14. I’m a referee; do I have to check all players’ mouths before a game to ensure compliance?
 A. Referee’s will not be expected to individually check players before a game; however, if a Referee notices that a player is not wearing a mouthguard, he should caution the player and if the player still refuses to wear one, he should be sent off.
15. Which type of mouthguard should I purchase? 
A. The decision on which type of mouthguard a player should obtain is a matter of personal preference. ‘Stock’ and ‘boil and bite’ options are not generally recommended by dentists, however, they will suffice for compliance with the new rules if the product carries a CE (European Conformity) mark. There is no doubt that custom-fitted mouthguards offer the best fit; however, teeth and mouths develop up until the age of 12 therefore young players can grow out of mouthguards over a period of time. Should a player feel that a mouthguard is not fitted properly, we would strongly recommend that advice is sought from a dental practitioner on an appropriate solution.
16. I currently wear orthodontic braces, what are my options?
A. It has been noted that children wearing orthodontic braces and wishing to play Gaelic football will be particularly concerned about the rule change; however, the GAA recommends that these players seek advice from a range of dental practitioners on the most appropriate solution for them.
OPRO supply a Boil & Bite Mouthguard for weares of braces  (available from Wisemans Bantry)
17. Is there an official GAA/GPA mouthguard? A. Yes, there is a full range of official OPRO GAA/GPA mouthguards available in bronze, silver, gold, platinum, and custom-fitted ranges.
Official OPRO GAA/GPA ‘boil and bite’ mouthguards are available for purchasing through local retailers: Local OPRO Supplier : Wisemans, Main Street, Bantry: 

Saturday 20 October 2012

Mouthguards - Six Reasons to wear mouthguards



MouthGuards - Are they necessary???


Would you be happy with this look??

Common sense dictates that it's a good idea to wear a mouthguard if you play contact sports or engage in any activity where you could potentially damage your teeth. However, we don't always do what we know is in our best interest.
There are several reasons why people don't wear mouthguards. Sometimes people don't know that the activity that they are engaging in requires a mouthguard. Teenagers may not wear them because there is peer pressure to not wear one. After all, nobody wants to be the only one on their team that wears a mouthguard! Others might complain that a mouthguard is uncomfortable or interferes with their speech and breathing.
However, there are several reasons to wear a mouthguard.  This article will increase your awareness of the implications of wearing or not wearing a mouthguard so that you can make an informed decision.

Six Reasons to Wear a Protective Dental Mouthguard

1. Mouthguards Protect Against Tooth Fractures
One of the most important functions of mouthguards are to keep your teeth from breaking. If your tooth does fracture, it usually can be saved. Here's a few types of tooth fractures and their respective treatment:
  • If it fractures on the crown of the tooth (the part of the tooth that is visible in the mouth), then a dentist can usually put a white filling material on the tooth to replace the fractured portion.
  • If the tooth fractures and exposes the dental pulp, then a root canal treatment or pulpotomy (if it is a young person) can be performed followed by a filling to replace the lost tooth structure.
  • If the root of the tooth fractures, then the prognosis of the tooth may not be favorable. If the root fractures close to the crown of the tooth, then the tooth may need to be extracted. If the root fractures near the end of the tooth, then the prognosis is more favorable.
2. Mouthguards Protect Against Tooth Displacement
If a sliotar/fist/skull/elbow/knee ( accidents do happen) hits you hard right in the mouth and you're not wearing a mouthguard, it could break your tooth. If you're more fortunate, it may only displace your tooth and cause your tooth to move easily thereafter.
However, if you are wearing a mouthguard when an object hits your mouth, it will cushion your teeth. A mouthguard can also distrubute the force over all of your teeth so that one tooth doesn't receive a crushing blow.
3. Mouthguards Protect Against Knocking Out a Tooth
Nobody wants to have their tooth get knocked out. It would be a tragedy if someone ended up with a large gap in their smile due to an accident that could have been prevented by wearing a mouthguard.
Fortunately, many permanent teeth that are knocked out can be saved if you know what steps to take when a tooth gets knocked out. If a baby tooth gets knocked out, it could cause trauma to the developing permanent tooth and might require a spacer or space maintainer.

4. Mouthguards Protect Against Soft Tissue Injuries
A lotof injuries have occured when a player bites right through their lower lip. Stitchesare needed  to repair the harm. All of this could have be avoided if the sharp surfaces of the teeth are covered  with a mouthguard. Mouthguards can keep you from injuring your tongue and cheek as well.


5. Mouthguards Might Protect Against Concussions
There is some debate on this issue. Those who say that mouthguards can help prevent concussions rationalize that since there is padding between the mandible and the maxilla, then if you sustain a blow to the mandible, the padding could lessen the force of the mandible pushing up on the skull near the brain, which could cause a concussion.
An article in the Journal of Athletic training had this to say:
Although no controlled experimental study has confirmed or refuted the idea that a properly fitted mouthguard reduces the likelihood of sustaining a concussive injury, evidence is mounting that the device could play a significant role in this critical area of player safety.
On the contrary, some neurosurgeons have claimed that mouthguards don't help in reducing the number of concussions. Dr. Cantu, an expert on concussions has stated the following:
No study that mouth guards prevent concussions has been done. But they do prevent injuries to the teeth so I would recommend all collision-sports players wear mouth guards.
6. Mouthguards Protect Against Jaw Fractures
Mouthguards also protect against jaw fractures. When you sustain a blow to the head and your teeth contact each other, there's not much room for flexibility. But, if you have a layer of flexible plastic between your teeth, it can act as a padding and save your jaw from fracturing. Jaw fractures often require major surgery (and a steady diet of Jello and soup), so it is likely in your best interest to wear a mouthguard to prevent such an occurrence!

Conclusion

The importance of wearing a mouthguard is evident as you read through this list. Once you chip off part of your tooth, that part of your tooth is gone forever. As the old saying goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Most reasons people give for not wearing a mouthguard are either related to the inconvenience of wearing a mouthguard (which is pretty minimal) or peer pressure to NOT wear one. However, should an injury to your teeth occur, you will find the consequences not only inconvenient, but they probably will affect your appearance more than wearing a mouthguard would have in the first place.

GAA/GPA Approved Mouthguards available from WISEMANS Bantry : email: info@wisemans.ie


further Info contact: info@wisemans.ie


Mouth Guards




OPRO MOUTHGUARDS
OFFICIAL Mouthguard of the GAA /GPA 


OPRO Mouthguards:Opro mouthguards have stretch zones which allow fitting to all mouths. Wide front 'V' for optimum adaptation and wide open front palate for optimum breathing and speech.
Patented fins break down on biting and mould to the teeth and includes posterior buffer pads for increased concussion protection.
All Opro mouthguards come with their own container — at Wisemans, Main St, Bantry, Co Cork, Ireland.



SHOCK_DOCTOR Mouth Guards - Gel Max

Exoskeletal Shock Frame™   :   Heavy duty rubber frame provides impact protection.

Gel-Fit™ Liner  ;  Custom molds to teeth for a tight, comfortable fit.

Multi-Layer Construction™  :   Our Multi-Layer Construction with an internal shock-absorbing frame offers protection and fit that outperforms conventional mouthguards.
Research confirms that confidence in protection can help create a mental state in which an athlete can better focus on game performance, undistracted by a poor fitting, uncomfortable mouthguard that chokes breathing and limits communication with team matesSee More
— at Wisemans,Main St, Bantry, Co Cork, Ireland.



What is the Makura Mouthguard?

The Makura Mouthguard is designed to prevent damage to teeth, gums and lips during sporting activities.    It also reduces the risk of concussion, broken jaw and neck injuries.
Available in a range of striking, fashionable colour combinations:
black granite/molten orange     polar white/cooled blue     solar yellow/ice clear
 When can I use it?     Any sporting activity where a deliberate or accidental impact to the face and jaw may cause injury, including: Gaelic Football, Hurling, camoige
rugby, hockey, lacrosse, American Football, eventing, polo, squash, ice hockey, mountain biking, football, baseball, basketball, skateboarding, gymnastics, skiing, snowboarding.

Sizes Available:  Adult Size &  Junior size also available -
  After softening in boiling water, bite into the Gelform liner to obtain a precise and comfortable fit.

How does it work?
Fitted over the upper teeth, the Makura Adult Mouthguard's super-tough Shokbloker® outer and Gelform® liner absorb frontal and side impacts, preventing teeth being broken or dislodged, and minimising injury to gums and lips. It also stops the lower jaw jamming into the upper jaw, reducing the risk of concussion, jaw fractures and neck injuries.
A raised area on the underside of the Makura mouthguard keeps it in place and an 'Airthru' channel improves the air supply while the jaw is closed.



Sportech Entry Level Mouthguard for low level contact sports: Mouth guards work by :-
■supporting your teeth
■preventing your teeth from clashing
■absorbing the forces that are otherwise directed through your jaw reducing the level of force transferred to your brain — at Wisemans,Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland.