Stock mouthguards may be purchased from a sporting goods store, pharmacy, or a department store. They are made of rubber, polyvinyl chloride or a polyvinyl acetate copolymer.21 The advantage is that this mouthguard is relatively inexpensive, but the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages. They are available only in limited sizes, do not fit very well, inhibit speech and breathing, and require the jaws to be closed to hold the mouthguard in place.22 Because the stock mouthguards do not fit well, the player may not wear the mouthguard due to discomfort and irritation. Orthodontists will often recommend these because they allow for protection of soft tissues while allowing tooth movement. In doing so, the Academy of Sports Dentistry (ASD) feels that they do not allow for adequate protection of the teeth. The ASD has stated that the stock mouthguard is unacceptable as an orofacial protective device.23
