Volleyball is not boxing, nobody will punch you in the face! But, this doesn’t mean that you might not get a powerful ball straight to your face! That’s why some volleyball players prefer to use mouthguards, indeed …
Some volleyball players prefer wearing mouthguards during games and even during practice sessions, because they estimate that their teeth are fragile or mouth is sensitive to shocks caused by a powerful ball shot from the other team. Others prefer using them, just because it feels a lot safer while playing.
This article breaks down in details cases when it is or it is not recommended to use mouthguards for volleyball and the right kind of mouthguard to use for maximum safety.
Do volleyball rules authorize mouth guard usage?
Volleyball doesn’t forbid the use of mouth guards! There are no rules addressing specifically their use. They are mostly estimated to be as like any piece of protective equipment, just like knee pads.
It is not mystery that Volleyball players could have dental injury. In fact:
- The ball might hit them in the face
- There is a chance of a bad fall on the court
- A teammate may hit them accidentally etc
So the ban of mouthguards would only make the consequences even worse.
Is wearing mouth guards common in volleyball?
Wearing mouth guards in volleyball is not a common practice, but it is not an unusual thing either. It all basically comes down to personal needs and preferences.
There is a trend amongst beginners to wear them more, especially in the first months of practice. This is normal because they feel much vulnerable against powerful shots and can’t hold on the necessary balance to keep them in their feet, especially during high intensity sequences.
Pro players on the other hand tend to not wear them much (even if I think they probably should) because they are much more used to the game and know how to protect themselves and avoid situations that can put them at risk of mouth injury.
Mouthguard recommendation for volleyball players …
Volleyball players (especially beginners) might be confused about what mouthguards they should actually use to ensure the necessary protection.
If this is your case, then I personally recommend using the Shock Doctor Gel max mouthguard (Check it Here at Amazon).
First of all, it has a beautiful a very convenient design with multiple color choises that would fit your preferences.
But most importantly, it can be used for any other high intensity sport other than volleyball.
One more advantage that few other mouthguards have is the breathability characteristic. The design allows enough air flow in and out, thus you won’t need to remove it during the game to take a deep breath or something like that.
How do mouth guards protect the players?
There are some mouthguards that are mainly designed to protect the front part of your teeth. Indeed, it spreads the force of impact equally, reducing any shock that could hard your teeth.
This type of mouthguard is best to use if there is a chance the player can suffer direct hits in the face which is, obviously, the case for volleyball players.
The next type is designed to only protect the upper row of your teeth. This type is designed to protect your teeth more from chin trauma than from direct hits …
When I say chin trauma, I mean hits directly to the chin. In the case of volleyball, when a player tosses himself for the ball, and falls, misfortunately, directly on his chin, putting force on the teeth.
The third type is meant to protect both the upper and lower row of teeth, simultaneously.
It protects your teeth from the front, absorbing shock and spreads it equally so that the shock has little to no impact on your teeth. It also serves as a protection from chin injury, the type of injury we have already mentioned.
Volleyball positions that need mouthguards the most …
Not all positions in volleyball bear the same amount of danger when it comes to possible dental or chin injury …
In a recent study it has been proven that all the positions in volleyball are prone to injury, but not the same amount of injury!
The study found out that the position that is most prone to injury is the outside hitter, which takes 31% of all injuries on court. Next on the list is the middle hitter, which takes 22,6% of the injuries. These two positions easily take over 50% of all injuries in the conducted study.
So taking those numbers in account we can easily see why these positions need mouth guards. But they are not the only ones …
The middle and outside blockers are susceptible to various kinds of injuries, from those mild to those that are somewhat severe. When a blocker tries to block an opposite ball, he can end up with hurt fingers and bruises.
Blockers take on the fastest and strongest opposite balls. They can also get hurt if they are not careful enough …
Indeed, if an opposite ball goes through their hands, or if their hands change the balls trajectory, the ball can easily end up straight in their face.
Can you wear mouthguards & braces at the same time?
Yes you can wear them over dental braces as far as you use quality mouthguards. Usually mouth guards are made in a way so that you can mold them accordingto your needs.
After buying it is usually recommended to follow these steps:
- Heat water in a small pot to the boiling point.
- Let the water sit for two to three minutes
- Then dip the mouth guard in the water for at least ten minutes.
- After the dipping and after the mouthguard has loosened up, put it in your mouth and squeeze it tight between your teeth.
This should give your mouthguard the shape and size you need. There is also the option to order a custom made mouthguard , but at a higher price.
Finally, keep in mind that you shouldn’t chew gum in volleyball, especially while using mouthguards!
Is it obligatory for kids?
Although it is not obligatory for kids to wear mouth guards, it is highly recommended for them to do so, since they are more prone to injury than adults.
Kids tend to be more explosive, and tend to be more energetic while doing physical exercises. So it is best to take the safety measures necessary for their protection.
Again, it all comes down to personal choice, but this time it falls upon the parents and their personal choice. It all comes up to the parents, whether they want their child to be safe and wear a mouth guard, or whether they want their child to take on a risk while playing.
Mouthguard maintenance tips.
Mouthguards maintenance is simpler than other volleyball gear like ankle braces or knee pads.
Mouthguards can be washed with toothpaste and a tooth brush. It is like washing a dental prosthesis. Scrub all parts on the inside, and all parts on the outside, thoroughly.
The second maintenance technique is with a mouthwash. First you need to make sure it is an alcohol free mouthwash. Rinse your mouth guard with cold water and then add a cup of mouth wash to a clean cup of water.
After those two first steps, put your mouth guard in the mouthwash water and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then get it out of that water and rinse it with cold water. Leave it to air dry, and that is it.
For more natual tips, you can use baking soda and water. Mix baking soda and water until you get a fine paste.
Take some of the paste on your toothbrush and start scrubbing your mouth guard, the same way you did with regular tooth paste. Scrub until you think that it is enough. After the scrubbing wash your mouth guard with cold water and let it air dry.
Final Thoughts …
If you are a beginner, then I highly invite you to use mouthguards even if you don’t feel comfortable at first. It won’t take you more than couple of usage before you get used to them and how they feel …
Just make sure you use a model that is breathable to not interrupt your breathing process which is extremely important for an aerobic sport like volleyball.
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