MOUTHGUARD SYSTEM FOR PROTECTING SOFT TISSUE
A mouthguard system can be configured to provide protection to the soft tissues surrounding the mouth. A mouthguard system can include a front lip protection portion, a teeth engagement portion connected to and positioned posterior to the front lip protection portion, and a channel defined within a base layer of the teeth engagement portion. A bite layer is disposed within the channel having a durometer less than other portions of the mouthguard system. The mouthguard optionally includes one or more breathing channels and one or more flavorants.
1 . A mouthguard system comprising:
a front lip protection portion;
a teeth engagement portion connected to and positioned posterior to the front lip protection portion, the teeth engagement portion including a base layer formed of a first material having a first durometer and defining a channel; and
a bite layer formed of a second material having a second durometer that is lower than the first durometer, the bite layer being disposed within the channel.
2 . The mouthguard of claim 1 , wherein the front lip protection portion and the teeth engagement portion are formed of the first material.
3 . The mouthguard of claim 1 , wherein a value of the second durometer divided by a value of the first durometer is about 85% or less.
4 . The mouthguard of claim 1 , wherein the second material and the first material are both low density thermoplastic rubber.
5 . The mouthguard of claim 1 , wherein the first material includes an injection moldable thermoplastic rubber.
6 . The mouthguard of claim 1 , wherein the first material includes a composite of a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate and a rubber.
7 . The mouthguard of claim 1 , wherein the second material includes a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate having at least about 33 weight percent vinyl acetate within the copolymer.
8 . The mouthguard of claim 1 , wherein the second material is selected having a durometer sufficiently low to accommodate and protect a user's teeth without a previous molding step.
9 . The mouthguard of claim 1 , wherein the first material includes a flavorant.
10 . The mouthguard of claim 9 , wherein the first material includes a flavorant that provides sweetness.
11 . The mouthguard of claim 1 , wherein the first material includes at least two flavorants, with one of the flavorants providing sweetness.
12 . The mouthguard of claim 1 , wherein the second material includes a flavorant.
13 . The mouthguard of claim 12 , wherein the second material includes a flavorant that provides sweetness.
14 . The mouthguard of claim 12 , wherein the second material includes at least two flavorants, with one of the flavorants providing sweetness.
15 . A mouthguard system comprising:
a front lip protection portion, having a first overall height, and including at least one segment selected from an upper lip protection segment and a lower lip protection segment;
a teeth engagement portion including a base layer having a first durometer and a bite layer having a second durometer that is less than the first durometer, the teeth engagement portion having a second overall height less than the first overall height and being connected to and positioned posterior to the front lip protection portion;
a first breathing channel having an anterior opening and a posterior opening and extending from the front lip protection portion to the teeth engagement portion.
16 . The mouthguard of claim 15 , wherein the base layer defines a channel within the teeth engagement portion and the bite layer is disposed within the channel.
17 . The mouthguard of claim 15 , further comprising a second breathing channel having an anterior opening and a posterior opening and extending from the front lip protection portion to the teeth engagement portion.
18 . The mouthguard of claim 15 , wherein the posterior openings of the breathing channels are positioned to correspond to opposite sides of a tongue of the user.
19 . The mouthguard of 15 , wherein the at least one segment is sized and shaped to fully cover a lip of a user.
20 . The mouthguard of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first and second materials includes a flavorant.