MOUTHGUARD

Abstract

 A mouthguard (1) comprising a main body (2) configured to fit around the teeth of the upper or lower jaw, with an outer surface (3) outward of the teeth and an inner surface (4) inward of the teeth, thereby to protect the teeth from impact, the mouthguard further comprising a plurality of air channels (5) that extend between said outer and inner surfaces of the mouthguard, thereby to facilitate the passage of air between the outside of the teeth and the inside of the teeth.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to mouthguards, and is concerned particularly with mouthguards for athletic use.

[0002] Mouthguards are a well-known protective device for the mouth, designed to cover the teeth and gums of the upper and/or lower jaw to prevent and reduce injury from impacts to the mouth region of a wearer. Mouthguards help to protect the teeth, mouth arches, gums and even in some cases the lips when subjected to an external impact. The most common configuration of mouthguard covers the teeth of the upper jaw, thus preventing the jaws from coming together fully. This helps to reduce the risk of jaw joint injuries whilst also helping to reduce the risk of concussion. A mouthguard is commonly used to prevent injuries in contact sports, which includes, but is not limited to, boxing, rugby, hockey, baseball, martial arts, wrestling, American football, lacrosse, and ice hockey.

[0003] It is important that a mouthguard accurately fits the mouth of a user, and with every mouth being different, there are various methods to ensure a fit. Some mouthguards are created by dentists, who take an impression of a user's mouth and have a mouthguard moulded to fit. However, whilst this type of custom fit mouthguard will ensure an accurate fit, it can prove expensive and require a visit to the dentist. With mouthguards being easily lost or mislaid, or even becoming damaged, this custom fit method is not always appropriate.

[0004] An alternative is the 'mouth adapted' or 'boil and bite' type of mouthguard. A thermoplastic material is manufactured in a pre-formed shape and is typically available in various sizes. The mouthguard can be adapted to fit more closely to an individual's teeth and gums through the application of heat, such as by immersing for a period time into boiling water. Once softened, the user bites into the mouthguard to create an impression of their teeth in the softened plastic portions, thus ensuring a fit. Some of these 'boil and bite' mouthguards incorporate special fins within the fitting zones for increasing retention and with the aim of providing an improved fit. The body portion of the mouthguard and any additional structural components are typically made of Ethylene-vinyl acetate, or EVA, that remains unaffected when submerged in boiling water, and gives additional structural strength to the mouthguard.

[0005] Whilst 'boil and bite' mouthguards provide a relatively cheap and convenient solution, particularly when a user needs to replace one that has become lost or mislaid in time for an athletic event or practice, they do present issues with accurate fit, and can prove tricky to mould accurately to the mouth. Whilst going some way towards providing adequate protection during athletic use, providing a mouthguard shape that once moulded would conform to a broad range of jaw sizes can result in an uncomfortable fit. These 'boil and bite' mouthguards are however the most popular type on the market, used by amateur and semi-professional sportsmen.

[0006] Mouthguards are used in sports where deliberate or accidental impacts to the face and jaw may cause injury or harm. For the majority of these sports, the rules make their use compulsory. However, studies are repeatedly reporting of a low compliance of individuals for the regular using of mouthguard during activities. Where a user believes that the mouthguard is affecting their performance, they are less likely to comply with wearing one, particularly in training where their use may not be monitored. It is not just the discomfort of wearing a mouthguard that presents issues, but the fact that breathing may be impaired with the mouthguard preventing the jaw from working as it usually would. When out of breath during sporting activities, breathing tends to be through the mouth, and a mouthguard creates a restriction to this flow of air, particularly where the fit of the mouthguard to the teeth and gums is not wholly accurate. Many users also experience problems with speaking or communicating with team mates, coaches, medical staff and other officials.

[0007] There is a need to encourage mouthguard wearing for all sporting endeavours where there is a risk of any impacts to the jaw region of participants, during competitions and training, and therefore there is a need to enhance the breathability of a mouthguard to ensure optimum air flow into and out of the mouth of a wearer. There is a need for a mouthguard that presents the least amount of restriction to a wearer's breathing, whilst ensuring an accurate fit. There is a need to provide a 'boil and bite' mouthguard that optimises breathability, and therefore enhances performance.

[0008] The prior art shows a number of devices which attempt to address these needs in various ways.

[0009] US 2017 120 135 (Awejaw Performance Inc) discloses a mouthguard to optimise breathing that incorporates a plurality of conduits running substantially anterior to posterior therethrough. The mouthguard comprises an arch-shaped upper channel, and an arch-shaped lower channel, with a connecting portion disposed along the interface between the two, through which a plurality of hollow, tubular conduits run. Whilst helping to enhance breathability through these conduits, the mouthguard shrouds both the upper and lower teeth, and provides cushioning between the two, joining both the upper and lower channels together. The conduits therefore compensate for the additional cushioning provided within the mouth of the wearer, that restricts the flow of air.

[0010] ZA 2011 05 424 (JR286 Technologies Inc) discloses a mouthguard having breathing cavities and breathing holes incorporated into the body of the mouthguard. These breathing holes comprise one or more holes that extend through an exterior sidewall, an interior sidewall and/or through a bottom transverse wall of the mouthguard. The mouthguard may also incorporate at least one breathing cavity extending from an upper surface of an exterior and/or interior sidewall into a portion of the sidewall to form one or more air passages through the mouthguard. Whilst these breathing holes and cavities go some way towards enhancing air flow into and out of a user's mouth, the holes and cavities are within the main structure of the mouthguard, thus weakening the structural integrity of the material, and reducing the strength of the mouthguard.

[0011] Whilst the prior art appears to address the issue of improving breathability through mouthguards, the breathing holes, channels and cavities proposed are typically through the upper teeth covering section of the mouthguard, or through a bridging portion between both the upper teeth covering portion and the lower teeth covering portion where the mouthguard is configured to cover both, thus affecting the structural integrity of these portions in use. Whilst the prior art does disclose means of improving air flow through mouthguards, the majority of the proposals are not for the most popular 'boil and bite' type, and any breathing channels, holes and/or cavities would likely be affected if incorporated into such a type of mouthguard, with the heat causing these channels to deform and even close.

[0012] Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a mouthguard of the 'boil and bite' type with enhanced air flow through the mouthguard when in use, where the means of enhancing breathability does not affect the structural integrity of the mouthguard and the performance against impacts. Preferred embodiments also aim to provide a mouthguard where the breathability is not affected when the mouthguard is subjected to boiling water to ensure an accurate fit. Preferred embodiments also aim to provide a mouthguard with enhanced breathability where the mouthguard does not extend from a user's mouth, nor does it restrict movement of a user's lower jaw.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a mouthguard comprising a main body configured to fit around the teeth of the upper or lower jaw, with an outer surface outward of the teeth and an inner surface inward of the teeth, thereby to protect the teeth from impact, the mouthguard further comprising a plurality of air channels that extend between said outer and inner surfaces of the mouthguard, thereby to facilitate the passage of air between the outside of the teeth and the inside of the teeth.

[0014] Preferably, the mouthguard may comprise a respective arrangement of said air channels on each side of the main body portion, in a symmetrical relationship to one another about a central axis of the main body portion.

[0015] Preferably, each arrangement of air channels may comprise a single air channel leading from the outer surface, which branches into at least two air channels leading out of the inner surface.

[0016] Each arrangement of air channels may comprise the single air channel leading from the outer surface, which branches into three air channels leading out of the inner surface.

[0017] Preferably, the air channels may comprise a groove formation, cut into a lowermost surface of the main body.

[0018] The groove formation may comprise a substantially C-shaped cross-section.

[0019] Preferably, the air channels may extend from the outer surface and pass through a portion of the main body configured to engage, in use, with incisors.

[0020] The air channels may extend through the main body and pass through a portion of the main body configured to engage, in use, with molars.

[0021] Preferably, the main body may contain a gel layer between the outer surface and the inner surface, configured to engage in use with the teeth of the upper or lower jaw, to further protect the teeth from impact.

[0022] The gel layer may comprise a thermoplastic polymer that softens when heated and stiffens when cooled.

[0023] The main body may comprise a laminated thermoplastic polymer.

[0024] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of mouthguard in isometric view showing one arrangement of channels through a lower-teeth engaging portion;

Figure 2 shows the mouthguard of Figure 1 in isometric view, showing one embodiment of upper-teeth engaging portion;

Figure 3 shows the mouthguard of Figures 1 and 2 in plan view;

Figure 4 shows the mouthguard of Figures 1, 2 and 3 in underside view, showing the air channels therethrough;

Figure 5 shows the mouthguard of the aforementioned Figures in back view;

Figure 6 shows the mouthguard of the aforementioned Figures in front view;

Figure 7 shows the mouthguard of the aforementioned Figures in side view;

Figure 8 shows the mouthguard in exploded view, showing the arrangement of teeth-engaging portions to structural portions, and the air channels therebetween;

Figure 9 shows air flow through the air channels of the mouthguard, shown in underside view;

Figure 10 shows a typical mouthguard in cross-sectional view, showing the engagement of lower teeth with lower teeth engaging portion; and,

Figure 11 shows the mouthguard of Figures 1 to 9 in cross-sectional view, showing the engagement of the lower teeth with the lower teeth engaging portion and the air channel created therebetween.

[0025] In the figures like references denote like or corresponding parts.

[0026] It is to be understood that the various features that are described in the following and/or illustrated in the drawings are preferred but not essential. Combinations of features described and/or illustrated are not considered to be the only possible combinations. Unless stated to the contrary, individual features may be omitted, varied or combined in different combinations, where practical.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a mouthguard 1 comprising a main body 2. The main body 2 is typically made from a medical grade plastic or silicone, such as Ethylene-vinyl acetate, commonly known as EVA. The main body 2 comprises a shell structure, configured to fit the majority of upper teeth of a specific age bracket of wearer. The main body 2 comprises an outer surface 3 and an inner surface 4, which sit either side of the upper teeth of the wearer when in position within the mouth. Therefore the main body 2 is typically U-shaped.

[0028] To assist the wearer with breathing, and therefore air flow into and out of their mouth, particularly when breathing at a fast rate, or even when clenching their teeth together, the mouthguard 1 is provided with a configuration of air channels 5. These air channels 5 are configured to allow for the passage of air from outside of the mouth when a wearer takes a breath. Air passes through any inlets within the outer surface 3 of the main body 2, through the air channels 5, and out through any outlets within the inner surface 4, into the mouth cavity.

[0029] Air passes into the mouth cavity when a wearer inhales, and passes from the mouth cavity and out of the mouth when the wearer exhales through their mouth. Therefore the airflow can pass both ways through the air channels 5.

[0030] Everybody's teeth are different, and therefore boil-and-bite mouthguard incorporate a deformable gel layer 6, as shown in figure 2. This gel layer 6 may comprise a thermoplastic material that softens when the mouthguard 1 is placed into hot water. Before the gel layer 6 becomes hard again, a wearer can place the mouthguard 1 into their mouth and onto their upper teeth. The gel layer 6 forms around the wearer's teeth so that the mouthguard 1 is moulded to a wearer's upper teeth. As shown in Figure 2, the gel layer 6 does not interfere with the air channels 5, which are contained within the main body portion 2 onto which the wearer bites.

[0031] The arrangement of air channels 5 within the main body 2 may comprise a number of different configurations, but all of these configurations comprise at least one air channel 5 that passes from the outer surface 3 to the inner surface 4. In one embodiment, the main body 2 comprises two configurations of air channel 5 that mirror one another on either side of the main body 2, with one configuration of air channel 5 being offset to one side of the main body 2, and the other configuration of air channel 5 being offset to the other side of the main body 2.

[0032] The air channel 5 may comprise a single air channel 5 or trunk leading from the outer surface 3 that branches within the main body 2 to form a plurality of air channels 5 or ducts that lead through the inner surface 4. In one specific embodiment the air channel comprises a single air trunk leading from the outer surface 3 that branches within the main body 2 to form three air ducts that lead to the inner surface 4. This arrangement of air channel 5 may be offset to one side of the mouthguard 1, then a further identical yet mirrored arrangement of air channel 5 may be offset to the other side of the mouthguard 1. This configuration of air channels 5 would allow air to be drawn through the front teeth of a wearer, nearer to where their incisors engage with the mouthguard 1. The air ducts in this arrangement would deliver air directly into the mouth cavity.

[0033] These air channels 5 are thought to be very effective when a wearer is clenching their teeth together, with both the upper and lower jaw clamping onto the mouthguard 1, such as when undertaking various sporting activities where this is a common occurrence. When teeth of the upper and lower jaw are clenched together, there is little space for air to pass between and into the mouth cavity. The air channels 5 provide space for this air to be drawn through and expelled away from the mouth cavity.

[0034] In figure 2 the outlets of the air channels 5 can be seen within the inner surface 4 of the main body 2 on one side of the mouthguard 1. Figure 3 shows the mouthguard 1 in plan view, showing the gel layer 6 sat within the main body 2, prior to any teeth indentations being made. The air channels 5 cannot be seen as these sit within the main body 2 beneath the upper teeth engaging portion or gel layer 6. Figure 4 shows the mouthguard 1 in underside view, showing one configuration of air channels 5 cut into the lower surface of the main body 2, with at least one opening in the outer surface 3 and at least one opening in the inner surface 4. Figure 4 clearly shows one possible arrangement of branching, where a single air channel 5 branches into a plurality of air channels on either side of the mouthguard 1. The lower teeth engaging surface of the mouthguard 1 may incorporate some indentations or cutouts, not shown, that do not interfere with the gel layer 6, and do not interfere with the air channels 5. These indentations are configured to engage with typical spacing of the teeth in the majority of wearer's lower jaw.

[0035] Figure 5 shows a rear view of the mouthguard 1 showing the gel layer 6 within the U-shaped main body 2, and the air channels 5 within the inner surface 4 of the main body 2. Figure 6 shows the mouthguard 1 in front view, showing two entry points for the air channels 5, offset from the central axis, and cut within the outer surface 3 of the main body 2. One arrangement of air channels 5 enter on one side of the mouthguard 1, but within the front region in the space that would be exposed when the mouth is open, the other arrangement of air channels 5 enter on the other side of the mouthguard 1, where both arrangements of air channels 5 mirror one another, in a symmetrical relationship to the central axis.

[0036] Figure 7 shows the mouthguard 1 in side view, showing the entry point for the air channels 5 on one side of the main body 2, and where this entry point sits in relation to the outer surface 3.

[0037] Figure 8 shows an exploded view of the mouthguard 1, showing the relationship between the main body 2 and the gel layer 6, and how these work with upper teeth 7 and lower teeth 8 of a wearer. The upper teeth 7 engage with the gel layer 6, once this layer has been heated in some way, such as through immersion in boiling water. The gel layer 6 conforms to the shape of the upper teeth 7 to customise the fit of the mouthguard 1 to a specific wearer. The gel layer 6 may comprise a plurality of indentations 10 configured to wrap around the air channels 5 of the main body 2. The lower teeth 8 sit against the lowermost surface of the main body 2.

[0038] Figure 9 shows the mouthguard 1 when air 9 is drawn through the air channels 5. Air 9 is drawn in through one end of the air channels 5 within the outer surface 3 of the mouthguard 1, through the main body 2, and out through the other ends of the air channels 5, into the mouth cavity when a wearer breathes in. This is reversed when a wearer breathes out, and the air 9 is forced out from the mouth cavity, through the air channels 5, and out of the mouth of the wearer. This air 9 can pass through the air channels 5 when the lower teeth 8 are abutting the lowermost surface of the main body 2, and therefore when the jaw is in a closed position.

[0039] Figure 10A shows a typical mouthguard showing the relationship of the main body 2 to gel layer 6, before the gel layer 6 has been moulded to the shape of the wearer's upper teeth 7. Figure 10B shows this typical 'boil and bite' mouthguard when moulded about the upper teeth 7 of the wearer, showing how the gel layer 6 has formed around the teeth 7, including any fissures or indents within the surface of the tooth. The main body 2 maintains the same shape during this process, providing support for the gel layer 6. This main body 2 may incorporate indents in its lowermost surface to engage with the lower teeth 8 when the jaw is in a closed position, biting on the mouthguard.

[0040] Figure 11A shows the mouthguard 1 comprising the main body 2 and the gel layer 6, as with typical mouthguards, with Figure 11B showing the mouthguard 1 when moulded to the upper teeth 7 of a wearer. The lower teeth 8 engage with the lowermost surface of the main body 2. The air channel 5 enhances the gap created by naturally occurring fissures within the surface of a tooth, by cutting the channel within the main body 2 along a typical mid line of a row of lower teeth 8, and in particular along a row of molars of the lower teeth 8. Air 9 can pass in both directions along this air channel 5, into and out of the mouth of the wearer when they breathe.

[0041] The air channels 5, as shown, are cut into the surface of the main body 2, forming a C-shaped cut-out or tunnel for the passage of air 9. The wearer's teeth help to enclose the air channels 5, or to form the rest of the passageway to help to direct the air flow 9 into or out of the mouth of the wearer.

[0042] In one possible embodiment, the air channels form a single passageway starting at the outer surface 3 of the main body 2, in a position that should sit in the region of a wearer's canines and/or incisors of their lower teeth 8, offset from the central axis of the main body 2. The single passageway or air channel 5 passes through the lowermost surface of the main body 2 until it reaches the location of a typical set of molar teeth of the lower jaw, where the air channel 5 continues towards the rear of the main body 2, in the direction of a wearer's throat. Several branches of air channels 5 branch away from the single passageway of air channel 5 towards the inner surface 4 of the main body 2, such that a plurality of air channels 5 lead into the mouth cavity. These branches of air channels 5 may comprise at least two branches. Shown in the figures are three branches of air channel 5 that branch away from the single passageway. This air channel arrangement 5 is mirrored on the other side of the main body 2, allowing air 9 to flow into and out of the mouth cavity on both sides of the main body 2.

[0043] In this specification, terms of absolute orientation are used for convenience to denote a typical orientation of a thumbstick in use and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings. However, thumbsticks could be disposed in other orientations, and in the context of this specification, terms of absolute orientation, such as "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "vertical" or "horizontal", etc. are to be construed accordingly, to include such alternative orientations.

[0044] In this specification, the verb "comprise" has its normal dictionary meaning, to denote non-exclusive inclusion. That is, use of the word "comprise" (or any of its derivatives) to include one feature or more, does not exclude the possibility of also including further features. The word "preferable" (or any of its derivatives) indicates one feature or more that is preferred but not essential.

[0045] All or any of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all or any of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

[0046] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0047] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A mouthguard comprising a main body configured to fit around the teeth of the upper or lower jaw, with an outer surface outward of the teeth and an inner surface inward of the teeth, thereby to protect the teeth from impact, the mouthguard further comprising a plurality of air channels that extend between said outer and inner surfaces of the mouthguard, thereby to facilitate the passage of air between the outside of the teeth and the inside of the teeth.

2. A mouthguard according to claim 1, comprising a respective arrangement of said air channels on each side of the main body portion, in a symmetrical relationship to one another about a central axis of the main body portion.

3. A mouthguard according to claim 2, wherein each arrangement of air channels comprises a single air channel leading from the outer surface, which branches into at least two air channels leading out of the inner surface.

4. A mouthguard according to claim 3, wherein each arrangement of air channels comprises the single air channel leading from the outer surface, which branches into three air channels leading out of the inner surface.

5. A mouthguard according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the air channels comprise a groove formation, cut into a lowermost surface of the main body.

6. A mouthguard according to claim 5, wherein the groove formation has a substantially C-shaped cross-section.

7. A mouthguard according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the air channels extend from the outer surface and pass through a portion of the main body configured to engage, in use, with incisors.

8. A mouthguard according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the air channels extend through the main body and pass through a portion of the main body configured to engage, in use, with molars.

9. A mouthguard according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the main body contains a gel layer between the outer surface and the inner surface, configured to engage in use with the teeth of the upper or lower jaw, to further protect the teeth from impact.

10. A mouthguard according to claims 9, wherein the gel layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer that softens when heated and stiffens when cooled.

11. A mouthguard according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the main body comprises a laminated thermoplastic polymer.

12. A mouthguard substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawing