Mouth protector is a device often used to protect the teeth and mouth from injury during sports or physical activity. The spelling of the word can be confusing as it is pronounced with a voiced dental fricative sound at the beginning of the second syllable. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word can be written as /maʊθ prəˈtɛktər/. The "th" sound in the first syllable is pronounced as a voiceless dental fricative, while the "t" in the second syllable is pronounced as a voiceless alveolar stop.
A mouth protector, also commonly known as a mouthguard or a dental guard, is a device designed to protect the mouth, teeth, and gums from injury during physical activities, particularly sports. It is made from a flexible, resilient material typically molded to fit over the upper teeth, providing a cushioning barrier between the teeth and soft tissues of the mouth.
The primary purpose of a mouth protector is to minimize the risk of dental and orofacial injuries that may occur due to impact to the face. By absorbing and distributing the force generated by a blow, it can help prevent fractured teeth, jaw fractures, soft tissue injuries, and lacerations. In addition, the device also acts as a shock absorber for the temporomandibular joint, reducing the risk of jaw joint injuries.
Mouth protectors are commonly used in contact sports such as rugby, football, boxing, hockey, and martial arts. They can also be worn during non-contact activities like gymnastics, mountain biking, and skateboarding, where falls or accidents may pose a risk to the oral cavity. It is recommended that mouth protectors be custom-fitted by a dental professional to ensure maximum comfort and protection.
By providing a cushioning barrier and absorbing impacts, a mouth protector is an essential piece of equipment in sports safety, helping to safeguard against dental and orofacial injuries while allowing individuals to participate confidently in their chosen activities.
The term "mouth protector" does not have a specific etymology as it is a compound term made up of the two words "mouth" and "protector".
The word "mouth" can be traced back to the Old English word "mūþ", which is related to the Old High German word "mund" and the Latin word "os", both meaning "mouth".
The word "protector" comes from the Latin word "protector", which is derived from the verb "protegere", meaning "to protect". It is a combination of the prefix "pro", meaning "forward" or "for", and the verb "tegere", meaning "to cover" or "to protect".
When these two words are combined, "mouth protector" refers to a device or equipment that is used to protect the mouth, particularly during physical activities or sports to prevent injuries to the teeth and oral cavity.