Frequently Asked Mouthguard Questions

1. Do I need a dentist to have a mouthguard made? 

BIOguard® mouthguards are made over dental molds so a dental professional is required to take the impression and make the mold.

GAMEguard™ and GAMEguard PLUS™ products are formed in boiling water so they do not require a dentist.

2. What sports do I need a mouthguard for?

Mouthguards are recommended for all contact sports.  Currently, the only sports where mouthguards are mandatory are football, ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, and boxing.  Some State associations are in the process of trying to include soccer and basketball as mandatory mouthguard sports.

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages between the dentist’s fabricated BIOguard® and the GAMEguard™ or GAMEguard PLUS™ that I form myself?

Not even the best custom fit mouthguards can compare to the fit achieved by pressure-laminated mouthguards formed over a dental mold.  In manufacturing the BIOguard®, the mouthguard plastic is processed against the dental mold at forces that cannot be duplicated in the mouth.  Our GAMEguard™ features the same protective polymer and features as the BIOguard® but the fit, although excellent, cannot match the exactness of the BIOguard®.

4. How long should my mouthguard last?

With proper care, including not “chewing” and proper cleaning of the mouthguard (preferably with the Sonic Cleaner offered by SLI) and storage, a mouthguard should last for an average season of 4-6 months. For younger players experiencing mixed dentition (getting new teeth), the replacement may be slightly more often and will be dictated by comfort, although even the custom fit BIOguard® may be made to allow for some of the tooth movement.

5. What is PolyShoK?

PolyShoK™ is a revolutionary new polymer designed specifically for mouthguards.  When we looked at improving our mouthguard products we were surprised to find mouthguard plastics have not changed over the last 40 years. Upon presenting the properties we were looking for to the engineers, we were able to produce a specialized material offering more shock absorption than traditional mouthguard materials currently being used by other manufacturers.