Dental injuries are painful, costly, and permanent.
Therefore, any athlete, from Olympian to kids playing hockey on the street, should wear a mouthguard and a helmet or headgear. A mouthguard is an appliance worn in the mouth which helps prevent injuries to the teeth, lips, cheeks, tongue, and jaw. It should be worn in addition to protective headgear which also protects against injuries to the head and neck. They are also the least satisfactory. Although they come in many different shapes and sizes, little can be done to adjust the stock mouthguard to fit your mouth.