GUMSHIELD Meaning and
Definition
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A gumshield is a protective device designed to safeguard the teeth and mouth during activities that involve potential impact to the face or jaw. It is commonly used in contact sports, such as rugby, boxing, hockey, and martial arts, where the risk of dental, jaw, and oral injuries is considerable. Also known as a mouthguard, it is typically made from a flexible, resilient material that effectively absorbs and distributes the force of a blow, reducing the likelihood of tooth fractures, jaw fractures, and soft tissue damage.
The gumshield is specifically designed to fit snugly over the upper teeth and gums. Its primary function is to act as a cushion, creating a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth that absorbs and dissipates impact energy. Additionally, it helps to stabilize the jaw and minimize the risk of concussions by acting as a shock absorber.
Gumshields can be categorized into three types: stock mouthguards, boil-and-bite mouthguards, and custom-made mouthguards. Stock mouthguards are pre-formed, ready-to-use protectors that are available in various sizes, while boil-and-bite mouthguards can be customized to some extent by softening the material in boiling water and then moulding it to fit the wearer's mouth shape. Custom-made mouthguards, on the other hand, are professionally crafted by a dentist using impressions of an individual's teeth to provide the best possible fit and protection.
Overall, the purpose of a gumshield is to minimize the risk of dental and oral injuries by offering a protective layer for the teeth, gums, and jaws during impact-based activities, ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals engaged in such sports.
Common Misspellings for GUMSHIELD
- fumshield
- vumshield
- bumshield
- humshield
- yumshield
- tumshield
- gymshield
- ghmshield
- gjmshield
- gimshield
- g8mshield
- g7mshield
- gunshield
- gukshield
- gujshield
- gumahield
- gumzhield
- gumxhield
- gumdhield
Etymology of GUMSHIELD
The word "gumshield" is primarily used in British English, while the American English equivalent is "mouthguard".
The term "gumshield" itself is derived from the word "gum", referring to the soft tissue covering the jaws and surrounding the teeth. The word "shield" suggests the function of the protective device, as it shields or guards the gums, teeth, and surrounding structures in the mouth.
It is important to note that "gumshield" is a compound word created specifically for this protective device used in sports or other activities, while "gum" or "shield" alone have different meanings in various contexts.
