Services
Sport Mouth Guard in Ituiutaba, Brazil
The sport mouth guard is the most underrated piece of athletic gear, and the most important for protecting teeth, gums, lips, tongue, and jaw against trauma. In Ituiutaba, Dra. Maria Vitória Lima fabricates custom-fit guards in thermoplastic EVA, with Hydrogum alginate impressions and thickness adjusted to your sport's intensity. A dental injury on the court or field can cost years of extensive, expensive treatment, the custom-fit mouth guard is simple, definitive prevention against that possibility.
What is Sport Mouth Guard?
The sport mouth guard is a flexible intraoral device, fitted to the upper teeth (and in some cases, also the lower), whose function is to absorb and dissipate impact energy during athletic practice, protecting teeth, gums, lips, tongue, jaw, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Beyond preventing dental fractures and soft tissue cuts, scientific evidence indicates that the mouth guard helps reduce the risk of brain concussions in contact sports by cushioning part of the force transmitted to the skull during chin impacts. The American Dental Association (ADA) classifies mouth guards into three types. Type I (stock/ready-made) is the pre-fabricated model sold in sporting goods stores and pharmacies, it comes in a single size, doesn't adapt to individual anatomy, and is the least effective type. Type II (thermoplastic, known as 'boil-and-bite') is a slightly customizable version: you heat the piece in hot water and bite down so it takes the shape of your arch. Cheaper than custom-made, but offers only approximate fit and tends to deform over time. Type III, the custom-made mouth guard fabricated by a dentist, is the gold standard: made from impressions of your teeth, it offers exact anatomical fit, controlled thickness in impact zones, allows breathing and speech without difficulty, and has far superior durability. It's the only type recommended by sports dentistry specialists for athletes who train regularly or compete. At our clinic, we work exclusively with Type III mouth guards, fabricated in thermoplastic EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate). EVA is the standard material of global sports dentistry: biocompatible, resilient (absorbs and dissipates impact energy), thermoformable (takes the arch shape), and available in various densities for different intensities. Fabrication can be by vacuum thermoforming (single plate) or thermocompression in multiple layers (laminated EVA in two or three layers), with the latter being the more resistant option for heavy-impact sports. Thickness is defined by sport: light sports call for 2 to 4mm; moderate-contact sports, 4 to 6mm; combat and heavy-contact sports, 6 to 8mm in multiple layers. The guard typically covers only the upper arch (which receives most frontal impacts), but in some modalities, such as professional boxing, MMA, and rugby, double guards (upper + lower) may be indicated for maximum protection.
When is it recommended?
When to consider
The mouth guard is indicated for any sport modality with face-impact or fall risk, a risk much greater than most people estimate. Sports dentistry studies show that athletes who don't use a guard have a several-fold higher risk of dental trauma during practice. Replacing a fractured tooth can involve root canal treatment, crown, eventually implant, long, expensive treatments that could be avoided with a simple piece. Children, adolescents, amateur adults, and professional athletes benefit equally. Athletes with fixed orthodontic appliances need it even more, without the guard, an impact can cause deep cuts to lips and cheeks from the edges of brackets and metal wires.
Combat sports and martial arts: MMA, BJJ, boxing, muay thai, judo, karate, taekwondo, heavy guard (6-8mm) mandatory, frequently double (upper + lower)
Direct-contact team sports: rugby, American football, hockey, heavy guard (6-8mm) essential
Moderate-risk team sports: soccer/futsal, basketball, handball, volleyball, water polo, medium guard (4-6mm) recommended
Individual sports with fall risk: skateboarding, longboard, snowboard, cycling, mountain bike, motocross, BMX, light to medium guard (2-4mm)
Aquatic sports with risk: surfing, bodyboard, kitesurf, wakeboard, light to medium guard
Racquet sports at competitive levels: tennis, padel, squash, light guard for intense training
Activities with ball/object: baseball, softball, field hockey, medium guard
Weightlifting and powerlifting: light guard to cushion teeth clenching during maximal efforts (which can fracture teeth or restorations)
Children and adolescents in any impact sport, tooth-changing phase and bone growth demand extra protection
Adolescents and adults with fixed orthodontic appliances in any contact sport, risk of severe mucosa cuts from brackets
Athletes who have already suffered prior dental trauma, restored or endodontically treated teeth are more fragile and deserve extra protection
Patients with competition bruxism (teeth clenching during athletic effort), guard reduces wear
How does the procedure work?
How we run your treatment
Making a custom-fit sport mouth guard involves two to three short appointments, totaling approximately one to two weeks between the first appointment and delivery of the finished piece. The process is completely painless, the impression is the most 'invasive' part, and takes about 1 minute per arch. The result is a guard that fits perfectly into your arch, with thickness controlled exactly where more protection is needed (generally on the anterior teeth and occlusal surfaces), and thinner where breathing and speech need to flow.
- 1
Clinical evaluation and discussion of the modality
We discuss the sport you practice: modality, weekly frequency, level (recreational, amateur, competitive, professional), type of contact involved, history of prior dental trauma, use of orthodontic appliance. From this, we define the appropriate thickness, whether it'll be a single guard (upper only) or double (upper + lower), and the fabrication method (single vacuum or multiple layers). In some cases, we do a prior oral health evaluation, the guard can't be made in an arch with active cavities, gingivitis, or untreated periodontal disease, because the piece will cover the tooth and prevent remediation of these conditions.
- 2
Hydrogum alginate impression
We take an impression of the upper arch (and lower, if indicated) with Hydrogum alginate, the standard material for dental impressions, capturing every anatomical detail of teeth, gums, and palate. The impression is quick, painless, and takes about 1-2 minutes per arch (you lightly bite into an impression tray containing the alginate, wait for the material to harden, and we remove it). Along with the impression, we record the bite in wax or specific material so the lab positions the teeth correctly on the piece.
- 3
Fabrication at a specialized lab
The impressions go to a prosthetic lab specialized in sports dentistry. There, the technician produces a plaster model from the impression and fabricates the guard in thermoplastic EVA. For light to moderate sports, vacuum thermoforming is generally used: a single EVA sheet is heated until pliable and molded over the plaster model by vacuum suction. For heavy-contact sports, multilayer thermocompression is used: two to three EVA sheets are pressed under high pressure to create a denser piece with greater impact absorption. Lab turnaround is usually 5 to 10 business days. In some cases, we can offer visual customization: colors, stripes, athlete's name engraved on the piece (without compromising function).
- 4
Try-in, adjustments, and practical test
On the return visit, we try in the guard. We check retention (it stays stable in the arch without falling), comfort (no injury to gums, cheeks, or lips), breathing (you can breathe through the nose with it installed), speech (doesn't excessively compromise communication), and occlusion (opposing arch teeth contact evenly when you bite). Small adjustments with a bur eliminate pressure points. In some cases, we simulate sport movements (mouth half-open, talking, breathing deeply) to verify the guard maintains position in real situations. You leave knowing exactly how to use and care for it.
- 5
Use instructions, maintenance, and re-evaluation schedule
You leave the appointment with the piece in use, written instructions on cleaning, storage, signs of wear, and when to replace. We schedule a re-evaluation in 3-6 months to verify adaptation and wear, then annual reviews (semi-annual for growing adolescents). The piece comes with its own vented case for transport and storage.
How much does it cost?
Costs vary by case. After a clinical evaluation, we present treatment options and payment terms. Inquire about pricing and conditions directly on WhatsApp.
Aftercare
Aftercare after the visit
Caring for a sport mouth guard is simple but decisive for its durability and your oral health. Mouth bacteria, sweat, saliva, and food residue accumulate on the piece with each use, without proper hygiene, the guard becomes a culture medium for microorganisms, with risk of gingivitis, bad breath, and in extreme cases, oral candidiasis. The good news: daily cleaning takes 1 minute and weekly maintenance another 2 to 3 minutes. EVA is a temperature-sensitive material: hot water permanently deforms it, as does direct sun. So the first rule is simple, only cold or room-temperature water. Never leave the guard in hot places (car glovebox, near heater, sauna, washing machine), it may lose shape and become unusable. As for durability, it depends greatly on use and athlete profile. For an adult who trains 2-3 times per week in moderate-contact sport, with proper care, the guard lasts 1 to 2 years (one to two athletic seasons). For growing adolescents, the recommendation is to replace every 6-12 months or whenever there's a significant tooth change (loss of deciduous tooth, eruption of permanent), a piece that became small loses retention and loses protection. For heavy-impact professional athletes (MMA, boxing, competitive rugby), replacement can be more frequent, with re-evaluation every 3-6 months depending on visible wear. Signs it's time to replace: visible cracks or fissures in the material, persistent odor even after deep cleaning, color change (intense yellowing), loss of retention (falls out easily), wear points reducing thickness in critical locations, or poor adaptation due to dental movement. There is no 'guard for life', it's consumption equipment, with a practical expiration date.
Wash the guard IMMEDIATELY after each use, with cold water and a dedicated soft-bristle brush, don't use your toothbrush, and never abrasive toothpaste (scratches EVA)
For daily hygiene, use neutral soap or alcohol-FREE mouthwash (alcohol dries out and deforms EVA)
Once a week, do a deep cleaning: soak the guard for 20-30 minutes in baking soda solution (1 tablespoon in a glass of cold water) or use effervescent denture cleaning tablets (Corega Tabs, Polident)
Never wash in hot, boiling, or warm water, EVA permanently deforms at temperatures above 50°C
After cleaning, dry with a soft cloth or air-dry before storing, humid storage favors bacteria
Always store in a vented case with holes for air circulation, never loose in the training bag, where it collects dirt, sweat, and residue
DO NOT leave the guard exposed to direct sun, inside a parked car, near heaters, or in the sauna, heat deforms EVA
DO NOT use bleach, pure alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or abrasive products for cleaning, they damage the material
Before each use, do a quick inspection: check for cracks, dryness, color loss, if you notice something, schedule a re-evaluation visit
After each training session or competition, hydrate well before using, dry mouth increases the guard's friction on mucosa
Always transport in the case, never loose, nor 'just for now' in the backpack
In adolescents in growth phase, communicate if you notice changes in adaptation (looseness, loss of retention), may indicate need for early replacement due to growth or tooth change
Immediately replace in cases of: deep cracks, severe drying, significant color change, persistent odor, loss of retention, or after direct trauma that deformed the piece
Frequently asked questions
Why a custom-fit guard instead of a pharmacy one?
'Boil-and-bite' guards sold at sporting goods stores and pharmacies have several serious limitations. First, the fit is only approximate, you bite into a softened thermo-moldable material, but the result is a generic adaptation, not anatomically exact. Second, they tend to shrink when cooling and loosen over time, becoming loose during use. A loose guard doesn't protect adequately, it can slip at the moment of impact, exactly when you need it most. Third, they interfere with breathing and speech because they occupy more buccal space than necessary. Fourth, they have limited durability, generally need to be replaced after a few months. The custom-fit guard solves all these problems: perfect fit, stable retention during sport, controlled thickness where it matters, comfort to breathe and speak, durability of 1-2 seasons. For anyone training regularly, custom-fit is always worth the investment.Does the guard interfere with breathing or speech during sport?
When well-made, no. The custom-fit guard is specifically designed to preserve breathing and speech, it's thicker only in impact zones (occlusal and palatal faces of anterior teeth) and thinner in zones important for function (anterior palate where air passes). Initial adaptation takes 2 to 7 days: in the first uses, there may be slight increased salivation and a 'strange' sensation. After a few training sessions, most athletes use the guard without noticing. If there's significant breathing difficulty or speech becomes very compromised after a week of use, we return for adjustment, there's probably some point that needs refinement.Do children need mouth guards?
Yes, perhaps even more than adults. Children and adolescents in growth phase have more fragile teeth (enamel still mineralizing), tissues in formation, and greater impact risk during sports, they fall more, hit more, and are still learning body control. A dental trauma at 8-15 years can initiate a cascade of treatments extending throughout life: root canal, crown as adult, eventual loss and implant. All this could be avoided with a guard. Children can start using a guard from the moment they tolerate the impression procedure, generally around 4-5 years. For very young children in light sports, you can start with an over-the-counter guard appropriate for the age, transitioning to custom-fit when they tolerate complete impression. The rule is simple: if the child practices contact sport, they need a guard.Can I wear a mouth guard with fixed braces?
Yes, and in that case the guard is EVEN MORE important. Athletes with fixed orthodontic appliances (metal brackets glued to teeth, with orthodontic wires) have an increased risk of severe cuts to lips and inner cheek mucosa in case of impact, because the brackets function like small blades. There are specific orthodontic guards, with internal space designed to accommodate brackets and wires without pressure, and with extra protection on the inner surface that contacts lips and mucosa. The guard also accompanies orthodontic movement, in some cases, it may need to be replaced when there are significant changes in tooth position (under orthodontist guidance). If you wear a fixed appliance and practice contact sport, mention this at the consultation so we can plan the appropriate guard.How many millimeters of thickness do I need?
Ideal thickness depends on sport intensity. For light to moderate activities (running, cycling, weightlifting, tennis, team sports without heavy contact), 2 to 4mm are sufficient, light guard, more discreet, easy to breathe. For team sports with moderate contact (soccer, futsal, basketball, handball, volleyball, skateboarding, mountain bike), 4 to 6mm is the recommended range. For combat sports and heavy contact (MMA, boxing, muay thai, BJJ, judo, rugby, American football), 6 to 8mm in multiple layers, maximum protection, generally fabricated by multilayer thermocompression. At the initial evaluation, we define the appropriate thickness according to your modality and practice level.How long does a custom-fit sport mouth guard last?
For an adult who trains regularly in moderate-contact sport with proper care, the guard lasts approximately 1 to 2 years, one to two athletic seasons. For growing adolescents, replacement is more frequent: every 6-12 months, or whenever there are significant dentition changes (deciduous tooth loss, permanent eruption, orthodontic alterations). For heavy-impact professional athletes (boxing, MMA, competitive rugby), replacement can be more frequent, with re-evaluations every 3-6 months. Replacement signs: visible cracks, persistent odor after deep cleaning, intense color change (yellowing), loss of retention, wear points that reduced thickness, or poor adaptation after tooth movement. Replacing before advanced wear ensures the equipment continues actually protecting.How do I clean the mouth guard correctly?
Basic routine: rinse with cold water after each use, gently brush with a dedicated soft brush (not your toothbrush) and neutral soap or alcohol-free mouthwash. Once a week, do a deeper cleaning: soak the guard for 20-30 minutes in baking soda solution (1 tablespoon in a glass of cold water) or in denture cleaning tablets (Corega Tabs, Polident). NEVER use hot water, bleach, pure alcohol, or abrasive products, all damage EVA. After each cleaning, air-dry or pat with a soft cloth before storing. Always store in a vented case, not loose in the backpack.Can I use a mouth guard for weightlifting or bodybuilding?
Yes, and at heavy load levels it's highly recommended. During maximal weight-lifting efforts, athletes frequently clench their teeth with extreme force, this peak clenching (similar to an acute bruxism episode) can fracture restored teeth, accelerate enamel wear, cause TMJ pain, and even tension headaches. A light to moderate guard (2-4mm) during heavy lifts absorbs this force, better distributes pressure across the arch, and protects teeth and joint. For competitive weightlifters (powerlifting, weightlifting), the guard becomes part of standard equipment. In recreational bodybuilding with light to moderate loads, use is optional.Upper, lower, or both?
In most sports, the upper guard is sufficient, it covers the upper anterior teeth, which are most exposed to frontal impacts (face-first fall to the ground, frontal punch, ball to the face). The upper arch tooth, mainly central incisors, is the most commonly fractured in sport traumas. For heavy-impact sports where there's also risk of bottom-up impact (uppercut in boxing, chin impact in MMA), we recommend double guards (upper + lower), maximum protection. The decision is made at evaluation, considering sport type, position you play, and your history of prior trauma.Do federations require mouth guards in competition?
Several Brazilian and international sports federations require mouth guard use in competitions. In Brazil, use is mandatory by regulation in modalities such as boxing (Brazilian Boxing Confederation), MMA (professional athletes), American football, rugby, roller hockey, among others. In some team modalities like soccer, futsal, and basketball, use is not mandatory but strongly recommended, especially for athletes who have suffered prior dental trauma or who use orthodontic appliances. Check the specific rules of your modality and federation, in case of official competition without mandatory guard, it's worth anticipating the piece for personal protection, regardless of the rule.Can the guard be personalized with colors or name?
Yes, with some options depending on the prosthetic lab. The most common customizations include: varied colors (solid, striped, gradient), engraving of the athlete's name on the piece (heat-engraved, without compromising function), application of flags or club logos (in specific cases), and even combinations with uniform colors. Customizations are made during fabrication, without affecting guard performance or durability. If you have a specific preference, mention it at the consultation, the lab can accommodate most reasonable customization requests. Some options may have additional cost or slightly longer delivery time.
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