If you watch football you have surely seen so many of our gridiron athletes wearing what looks like a big pacifier in their mouth.
It’s actually called a Lip Guard or Lip Protector.
Recently Impact Mouthguards perfected the method to add a lip guard to their custom mouthguard.
Before the introduction of their Custom Mouthguard with Lip Guard athletes had to insert a strip of plastic into their mouth that they had to bite down on to hold the lip protector in place.
They were awful to use but they looked great!
Now there is a professional quality alternative!
Here are the top three reasons why football players love to wear lip guards/Lip Protectors:
LIP GUARDS LOOK COOL
Yes they do!
Football Players love to express their individuality by wearing lip protectors with big graphics on them. From fangs to scary eyeballs you can really get personal with the amount of space for graphics offered by the lip guard.
When you decide to get a custom mouthguard with lip protectorfrom Impact Mouthguards you know your guard is going to fit perfectly.
But the best news is you can add the graphics of your choice to your Lip Guard.
Team logos, Jersey Number or a picture of your dog - it’s up to you to design your lip protector just how you want it.
2) Flying Fingers Hurt Lips
This is real!
Flying fingers come through football helmets at an alarming pace.
When the offending finger is not properly groomed the nail can take out a big chunk of a players lip for sure.
Lip Guards help protect football players from unnecessary cosmetic injury by surrounding the whole mouth with a strong barrier.
3) Custom Mouthguards with Lip Protectors Fit Perfectly
Here’s the deal -->>
Over the counter plastic lip protectors bought in the store don’t fit very well. In fact, many of them are not really mouthguards at all but a simple strip of plastic you have to bite down on.
Who can breathe when you have to have your teeth clamped down in order to hold the mouthpiece in your mouth.
Imaging what it’s like after running a fast 40!
So athletes turned to Impact to invent a mouthguard that fits perfectly, that includes a lip protector.
Starting with an impression of your teeth Impact handcrafts a guard to fit just you, comfortably, then they added the Lip Guard.
WOW!
What a difference!
If your mouthpiece fits comfortably, you’ll wear it in the right place so when the big hit comes you’ll be protected from so much more than cut lip.
As someone deeply knowledgeable about sports equipment, safety gear, and the intricacies of athletic performance, I can affirm that the use of protective gear in sports is pivotal for both safety and performance optimization.
Firstly, let's dive into the concept of mouthguards. A mouthguard is a protective device for the mouth that covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce injury to the teeth, arches, lips, and gums. It acts as a barrier between the soft tissues of the mouth and potential traumatic blows. Over time, mouthguards have evolved from generic, one-size-fits-all models to custom-fitted versions tailored to individual athletes. This transition is due to advancements in dental technology and the understanding of how proper-fitting equipment can significantly impact an athlete's comfort and safety.
Lip Guards or Lip Protectors: These are specialized additions to traditional mouthguards, primarily designed to offer an extra layer of protection for the lips. As described in the article, lip guards can be aesthetically personalized with graphics or designs, allowing athletes to express their individuality. However, beyond the aesthetics, there are functional reasons for the integration of lip guards.
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Aesthetic Personalization: Athletes, especially in sports like football, where the face is visible during gameplay, often use equipment as a means of self-expression. The ability to customize lip guards with team logos, jersey numbers, or personal designs enhances team spirit and individual identity.
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Protection Against Facial Trauma: The mention of "flying fingers" underscores a real concern in contact sports. During tackles, blocks, or scrambles, unintended contact, including fingers, can lead to facial injuries. A well-designed lip guard provides an additional buffer, reducing the risk of lacerations or bruises to the lips.
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Custom Fit for Optimal Comfort and Protection: Generic mouthguards, as highlighted, often fall short in terms of fit and comfort. A poorly fitted mouthguard can hinder breathing, communication, and overall performance. Companies like Impact Mouthguards emphasize a custom-fit approach, starting with dental impressions to ensure that the mouthguard, along with its lip guard extension, fits seamlessly. When athletes have equipment that fits perfectly, they're more inclined to wear it consistently, ensuring consistent protection during gameplay.
In conclusion, while the visual appeal of lip guards offers a unique blend of style and functionality, their primary purpose remains rooted in athlete safety. As sports continue to evolve, so too will the equipment designed to protect athletes, ensuring they can perform at their best while minimizing risks associated with their chosen sports.
FAQs
Football players wear mouth guards to protect against impacts, falls, and tackles causing oral injuries. It reduces concussion risk by absorbing impact force. Crucial for player well-being in dynamic games.
Do you need a lip guard for football? ›
If you or your child is in a sport where there's a risk of taking a blow to the face, wearing a mouthguard is a good idea. A mouthguard with a lip guard is often worn by athletes in high physical contact sports like football.
Why are custom mouthguards better? ›
A custom-made mouthguard can also feel more comfortable to wear, will have less impact on breathing and speech, and is less likely to move around in your mouth or come loose while playing. They can also be customised in team colours and should last for several seasons before they need to be replaced.
What is the main purpose of a mouth guard? ›
a mouthguard, also known as a gumshield, mouth protector or sports guard is an appliance that covers the teeth and surrounding mucosa with the aim of preventing or reducing trauma to the teeth, gingival tissue, lips and jaws.
Why do athletes wear mouth guards? ›
Mouthguard use has been shown to reduce the risk of sport-related dental injuries. The ADA recommends wearing a properly fitted mouthguard to reduce the incidence and severity of oral injury in sporting or recreational activities, particularly activities with significant risk of dental trauma or orofacial injury.
When did football players start wearing mouth guards? ›
In 1962, it was made mandatory for all football players at the high school level to wear mouth guards. A little over a decade later, in 1973, the NCAA made all college basketball players wear them during games.
Do NFL players have to wear a mouthpiece? ›
So even if a football player employs one as decor, he still has to use one the way it's meant to be used, too. The NFL, however, has not made mouth guards mandatory, citing the lack of significant scientific evidence showing they prevent concussions in football.
What happens if you don't wear a mouthpiece in football? ›
The National Youth Sports Foundation for Safety reports dental injuries as the most common type of orofacial injury sustained during sports participation. They contend that an athlete is 60 times more likely to sustain damage to the teeth when not wearing a protective mouthguard.
Is mouth guard allowed in football? ›
The NFHS mandates the use of mouthguards in football, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse and wrestling (for wrestlers wearing braces).
What mouthguard do pros wear? ›
Vettex mouthguards have been popular for many years. It seems like nearly every skill player has worn a Vettex at some point in their career. They come in every single color and are inexpensive. You can get a Vettex lip-guard mouthguard on […]
This mouthguard will perfectly fit your unique mouth structure, providing you with optimal comfort and protection. Custom-made mouthguards are fairly expensive, with costs ranging from $300 to $800. This price is based on the professional-grade materials and labor involved in creating your mouthguard.
Why are custom mouthguards so expensive? ›
These guards use top-quality materials, ensuring durability and effectiveness. The customization process, requiring skilled professionals for precise fitting, contributes to the higher price. While they may seem like a substantial investment, dental mouthguards are designed for optimal protection and comfort.
What 3 things are mouth guards used to protect? ›
Mouthguards are made of strong, flexible materials that are designed to protect your teeth, gums, and jaw in case of an impact. If you're wondering how a mouthguard can protect you while playing sports, here are three of the primary ways.
Is it OK to wear mouth guard all day? ›
These appliances help protect your teeth from the effects of grinding and clenching. They may also reduce the effects of TMJ disorders. You can wear this type of mouth guard any time, night or day. But because most people grind or clench their teeth during sleep, it's common to wear them at night.
Does a mouth guard stop you from biting your tongue? ›
For many people who bite their tongue, wearing a mouthguard can prevent future injuries. Because everyone's mouth is different, talk to a dentist or doctor about which type of mouthguard is best for you.
Why do football mouth guards look like pacifiers? ›
If you watch football you have surely seen so many of our gridiron athletes wearing what looks like a big pacifier in their mouth. It's actually called a Lip Guard or Lip Protector. Recently Impact Mouthguards perfected the method to add a lip guard to their custom mouthguard.
Are NFL players required to wear mouth guards? ›
So even if a football player employs one as decor, he still has to use one the way it's meant to be used, too. The NFL, however, has not made mouth guards mandatory, citing the lack of significant scientific evidence showing they prevent concussions in football.
Why do NFL players wear pacifiers? ›
So, the mouth guard helps minimize teeth fracture risks that players can experience if only they don't wear the additional American football equipment. Since mouthguards also protect the players' jaw, they would also minimize the injuries that are related to the surrounding parts of the head.
