The mouthguard is used in medicine to prevent the transmission of pathogens. These exit with partly the respiratory flow and can not spread through such a hygiene mask. Infection by inhaling outside air can also be prevented with such a mask.
What is a mouthguard?
The mouthguard is used in medicine to prevent the transmission of pathogens. The mouthguard is an aid in medicine. It is also called surgical mask, surgical mask, medical mouth guard or mouth-nose guard. Normally, the guard is worn in front of the mouth and nose and tied at the back of the head. In the process, it is fixed over the ears. Less sealable masks are fastened behind the ears. For example, those worn by dentists. Pathogens that enter the environment with droplets of secretion from breathing can thus not spread. Inhalation of droplets from the environment is also prevented. It is used primarily in hospitals to protect patients, doctors and nursing staff in the operating theater and intensive care areas, but also in premature baby wards. Private individuals can also use a mouthguard to better protect themselves from infections, for example in large crowds or when coming into contact with sick people.
Forms, types, and styles
A medical mouthguard is usually designed as a surgical half mask and should comply with the European standard DIN EN 149. There are liquid-resistant models and variants with face shields. Modelable nosepieces for a better fit are also common. Central to the protective effect is the permeability of the filter material to particles the size of viruses and bacteria. There must be a protective effect in both the inhalation and exhalation directions. Protective masks are divided into the three protection categories FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3. The abbreviation FFP stands for “filtering face piece”. Simple face masks made of paper, for example, are not included in the protection categories. Depending on the design and classification, the masks protect against the inhalation of particles and oily or aqueous aerosols. Protection class FFP1 guarantees protection against non-toxic dusts and aerosols with an effectiveness of at least 80 percent. A mouthguard belongs to category FFP2 if it has a protective effect of at least 94 percent against mists, dusts, smoke, liquid and solid particles. The highest protection category FFP3 protects against fungi, bacteria and viruses and filters them out of the air we breathe. The protection level must be 99 percent for this category. There are special versions of the medical mouthguard for people who wear glasses, as the standard models with their nose pieces often do not fit with the glasses. This in turn leads to a reduced protective effect. For children, the conventional mouthguard models are often too large, which is why there are also special children’s models to buy for them. These are smaller and accordingly close off the area around the mouth and nose better, so that no leaks occur at the sides. Thus, no air can enter or escape and reduce the protective effect. The children’s masks are also often printed with colorful motifs.
Structure and mode of operation
The FFP masks consist of at least three layers of filter material. This is nonwoven and electrostatic material, which binds fine particles by electrostatic forces. Nevertheless, this material allows exhalation and inhalation during wearing. The FFP2 and FFP3 masks are also available with a plastic exhalation valve. This ensures easier exhalation and prevents heat build-up without secretion droplets entering the surrounding air. The masks are designed to guarantee their protective function for approximately eight hours, which corresponds to most working days. For allergy sufferers, the various types of mouthguard are also available without latex or glass fiber in the nonwoven fabric. These then additionally bear the designation “hypoallergenic”. Some models are also available in different colors or printed with motifs, such as the variants for children.
Medical and health benefits
In the medical field, the Robert Koch Institute and the Committee for Biological Agents now have precise guidelines on which mouthguards to wear in which medical situations.In the event of a viral infection such as influenza (flu) with a high risk of spreading, protective masks of class FFP2 should be worn by medical staff in outpatient care and nursing. Wearing a mouthguard is also recommended for patients when circumstances permit. This also applies to activities in the patient’s room and to activities during which coughing jerks may occur. During coughing, the escape of pathogens with droplets of secretion is particularly strong (droplet infection). FFP1 masks and surgical masks are not effective protection against infection with airborne pathogens. Nevertheless, they are an effective hygiene measure during medical work. The use of hygiene masks in the medical field has become even more important in recent years due to the increasing spread of multi-resistant germs. Even with the appearance of new pathogens such as the SARS virus or new types of the flu virus, medical mouthguards are elementary to prevent infections and the spread of germs. The correct application is very important for protection. If mouthguards do not fit properly, leaks often occur, allowing air to enter or exit unfiltered. The protective effect is then no longer given. It must also be possible to fasten the mouthguards properly and they must not slip even when moving. If a mouthguard is worn for a long time, it should be changed regularly. A wearing time of about eight hours is considered a guideline here.
