ASTM F697-16

Designation: F697 − 16 An American National StandardStandard Practice forCare and Use of Athletic Mouth Protectors1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F697; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of originaladoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscriptepsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This practice covers the care and use of intraoral mouthprotectors as protective equipment for sports. Mouth protectorsincludes what are commonly termed mouth guards.1.2 Mouth protectors, as described herein, refer to eitherType I, Type II, or Type III mouth protectors as classified inSection 3.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2. Terminology2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:2.1.1 mouth protector—a resilient device or applianceplaced inside the mouth (or inside and outside), to reducemouth injuries, particularly to teeth and surrounding structures.3. Classification3.1 Mouth protectors covered by this practice shall be of thefollowing types and classes:3.1.1 Type I—Thermoplastic Type:3.1.1.1 Class 1a—Vacuum-formed.3.1.1.2 Class 1b—Vacuum-formed adjusted.3.1.1.3 Class 1c—Mouth-formed.3.1.1.4 Class 2a—Pressure laminated.3.1.1.5 Class 2b—Pressure laminated adjusted.3.1.2 Type II—Thermosetting Type:3.1.2.1 Class 1—Mouth-formed.3.1.3 Type III—Stock type.4. Significance and Use4.1 Intra-oral mouth protectors have been found usable andeffective in all physical sports activities where mouth hazardexists.4.2 Considerable evidence indicates that the use of mouthprotectors reduces forces on dentition and can potentiallymitigate orofacial injuries.5. Design Considerations5.1 For maximum protection, cushioning, and retention(that is, to reduce the chance of dislodgement), the protectorshould cover all the remaining teeth of one arch, customarilythe upper, less the third molar (except with a prognathic lowerjaw). The borders of the mouth protector should cover as muchof the alveolus and extend to the depth of the vestibuleintraorally, without interfering with the movement of theintra-oral tissues.5.2 The use of both a separate maxillary (upper) andmandibular (lower) mouth protector is seldom recommendeddue to no demonstrated benefit, reduced comfort with lack ofcompliance from individuals. The use of a combined (dualarch) maxillary and mandibular mouthguard is an acceptabledesign.5.3 Consideration needs to be given to how the mouthprotector occludes with the opposing teeth. The mouth protec-tor needs to have contact with as many teeth in the opposingarch and contact evenly on as many teeth as possible.5.4 Mouth protectors that attach to headgear via a strapshould be adjusted to fit as described above (for non-strapattached).6. Special Limitations6.1 The fitting of mouth protectors is best accomplishedunder the supervision of trained athletic, medical, or dentalstaff familiar with the specific mouth protector to be used.6.2 Players wearing orthodontic appliances or having mouthmalformations (abnormalities) should be provided with amouth protector only under the supervision of a dentist.6.3 Players wearing removable partial dentures should re-move them before being provided with a mouth protector.6.4 Players wearing complete dentures should be fitted witha mouth protector (with or without the denture in place) asdecided and supervised by a dentist.6.5 If the changing dentition, due to the age of the player, isjudged to be a problem, the use of a thermally moldable mouth1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on SportsEquipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilitiesand is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee F08.53 on Headgear and Helmets.Current edition approved March 15, 2016. Published March 2016. Originallyapproved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as F697 – 00 (2006)which was withdrawn in January 2015 and reinstated in March 2016. DOI:10.1520/F0697-16.Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States1protector, which can be repeatedly reformed, is recommended,or a new custom protector made.7. General Recommendations7.1 Cleaning—The mouth protector manufacturer guide-lines for cleaning should be followed. In instances where themanufacturer does not offer cleaning guidelines, the followingcan be applied as a general guideline: Always wash daily incold or lukewarm water. The use of a cleaning agent containingan antimicrobial agent is recommended. The use of commer-cially available daily cleansing agents available for denturescan be used to effectively clean the mouth protector.7.2 Storage and Shipping—Avoid excessive heat or cold.Custom-made protectors should be shipped or stored in such away that their ability to fit and be retained on athlete’s dentitionis preserved. More specifically, they should be protected fromtemperatures and forces that could alter their shape and extentof coverage of dentition. Antimicrobial storage cases can beused to store mouth protectors between instances of use.7.3 Mouth-Forming—For forming the thermally moldablevariety, have the protector wet (do not insert in the mouth dry).7.4 Use—Players should be instructed to use mouth protec-tors when engaged in any physical sport activity where thehazard of mouth injury exists, including sports where helmetswith face protection are mandated.7.5 Replacement—Mouth protectors should be replacedwhen tearing appears or resiliency is lost. Mouth protectorsshould be replaced when there is any obvious or suspecteddamage to the protector. Mouth protectors should be replacedor refitted, or both, when the protector no longer fits as a resultof long term use and wear or changes in the athlete’s dentition.8. Keywords8.1 care and use; mouth guard; mouth protector; oral appli-ance; protective equipment; protective head gearASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentionedin this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the riskof infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years andif not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. 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