Your teeth’s best insurance policy.
Most athletes—amateur or professional—wouldn’t dream of stepping onto a field without a helmet or shin guards. Yet, the mouth is often left entirely unprotected. At Lema Dental Clinic, we see the aftermath of this decision every week. A stray elbow in a “friendly” basketball game or a high-velocity puck in hockey can turn a weekend hobby into a lifelong dental reconstructive journey.
The question isn’t just about whether they work; it’s about whether the small upfront cost is “worth it” compared to the price of an emergency implant. Professor Doctor Coşkun Yıldız often reminds our patients in Istanbul that a mouthguard is not just a piece of plastic—it is a sophisticated shock absorber for your craniofacial structure.
The Physics of the “Crumple Zone”
Think of a mouthguard as an airbag for your face. When an impact happens, the force is not removed; it moves. That is why, without a barrier, the enamel, which is the hardest but still brittle part of the tooth, is the one that receives the full force of the impact, and commonly, the teeth are the ones to get fractured, avulsions (teeth being knocked out), or even the jaw being fractured.
In our clinical experience at Lema Dental Clinic, a well-fitted mouthguard works by spreading that kinetic energy across a larger surface area. Cushioning the blow, it prevents the lower jaw from slamming into the upper jaw, which is a primary cause of certain types of concussions and TMJ injuries. The reality is that your teeth are like porcelain; they are strong against vertical pressure (chewing) but incredibly vulnerable to horizontal impact.
Custom-Fit vs. “Boil-and-Bite”: Why One Size Does Not Fit All
Many athletes choose the cheap, over, the, counter options that can be easily found at sporting goods stores. However, what if we were to closely examine the mechanics? Dentist Polen Akkılıç and her team point out that a “boil and bite” guard is usually a bulky, uncomfortable, and, most importantly, a device that does not have the uniform thickness necessary for real protection.
So the question still stands: why go custom? We have a digital impression at our clinic in Turkey, by which we make a guard that is as thin as possible for comfort, but thick in the exact “impact zones” that are unique to your bite. If a guard hampers breathing or speaking, an athlete will not wear it. The problem of compliance is solved by custom guards, as you almost forget they are there.
The Cost of Neglect: A Financial Comparison
| Scenario | Mouthguard Protection | No Protection (Trauma) |
| Initial Cost in Turkey | Minimal investment | Constant risk of “The Big Hit.” |
| Emergency Visit | None | High (Immediate pain management) |
| Long-term Treatment | None | Implants, Crowns, or Root Canals |
| Recovery Time | Immediate | Weeks of surgery and healing |
| Peace of Mind | High | Constant risk of “The Big Hit” |
FAQ: Insights from the Lema Dental Team
The short answer is yes,” says Professor Doctor Coşkun Yıldız. “We’ve treated plenty of patients in Turkey who chipped their front teeth from a fall off a bike or a collision in volleyball. If there is a risk of a fall or a fast-moving object, your teeth are at risk.
In the clinic, we see that most guards last about a year. However, for younger athletes whose jaws are still growing, they might need a new one every six months. If you notice the edges are getting thin or it feels loose, it’s time for a replacement at Lema Dental Clinic.
Absolutely. In fact, it’s even more critical. An impact with braces can cause severe lacerations to the cheeks and lips as the metal brackets act like tiny blades. We design specific guards that accommodate the movement of the teeth during orthodontic treatment.
While no device can 100% prevent a concussion, research suggests that by preventing the jaw from being driven into the base of the skull, a mouthguard can reduce the severity of the impact. It acts as a vital “buffer” between the lower jaw and the brain.
Dentist Polen Akkılıç and her team recommend rinsing it with cool water and an anti-bacterial soap after every use. Never use hot water, as it can warp the custom shape. Store it in a ventilated case to prevent bacteria from throwing a party in your gym bag.
- Knapik, J. J., Marshall, S. W., & Lee, R. B. (2007). Mouthguards in Sport Activities: History, Physical Properties and Efficacy. Sports Medicine, 37(2), 117-144.
- Newsome, P. R., Tran, D. C., & Cooke, M. S. (2001). The role of the mouthguard in the prevention of sports-related dental injuries: a review. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 11(6), 396-404.
- Green, J. I. (2017). The Role of Mouthguards in Preventing and Reducing Sports-related Orofacial Injuries. Dental Clinics of North America, 61(2), 253-265.
- Winters, J. E. (2001). Commentary: Role of mouthguards in reducing mild traumatic brain injury/concussion. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 29(10), 52-56.
- ADA Council on Scientific Affairs. (2006). The use of mouthguards in reducing the incidence and severity of sports-related oral injuries. Journal of the American Dental Association, 137(12), 1712-1720.
