Mouth guard with breathing channel

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a mouth guard having a multiple chamber air channel allowing the user to mouth breathe during use. The air channel includes a forward air chamber and a pair of rear chambers. A support structure forms a divide between the pair of rear chambers with the front air chamber being generally unobstructed. The support structure may be relatively narrow and positioned rearward of an upper lingual ridge of the mouth guard.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mouth guard comprising:
 a pair of molar receiving elements connected to an outer guard through an intermediate guard portion; and   a multiple chamber air channel extending through at least the intermediate guard portion and outer guard and including a first air chamber connected to a pair of rear chambers, said air channel allowing the user to mouth breathe while wearing the mouth guard.   
     
     
         2 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  wherein the first air chamber is generally oblong in shape and the pair of rear chambers are generally elliptical in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  further comprising:
 upper and lower lingual ridges. 
 
     
     
         4 . The mouth guard of  claim 3  wherein the pair of rear chambers are defined between a support structure generally aligned between the upper and lower lingual ridges. 
     
     
         5 . The mouth guard of  claim 4 , wherein a front support wall of the support structure is aligned with a forward portion of the upper lingual ridge. 
     
     
         6 . A mouth guard comprising:
 a pair of molar receiving elements;   an intermediate guard portion connecting the pair of molar receiving elements; and   an outer guard, with an air channel extending through the intermediate guard portion and the outer guard, said air channel defined by an elongated opening in the outer guard and pair of openings defined in an inner wall, with a vertical support structure separating a pair of rear air chambers.   
     
     
         7 . The mouth guard of  claim 6 , wherein the vertical support structure is approximately located between an upper lingual ridge and a lower lingual ridge. 
     
     
         8 . The mouth guard of  claim 6 , wherein the air channel includes a single oblong front chamber and a pair of generally elliptical rear chambers. 
     
     
         9 . An oral appliance comprising:
 an outer guard;   an intermediate guard connected to the outer guard; and   a pair of molar receiving elements connected to the intermediate guard, with an air channel positioned between at least the outer guard and the intermediate guard, said air channel including an elongated forward chamber being generally unsupported within the outer guard and a pair of rear chambers being defined between a support structure.   
     
     
         10 . The oral appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the support structure is positioned entirely within the intermediate guard. 
     
     
         11 . The oral appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the support structure is positioned behind an upper lingual ridge. 
     
     
         12 . The oral appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the support structure is positioned forward of a lower lingual ridge. 
     
     
         13 . The oral appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the forward chamber is generally oblong in shape and the pair of rear chambers are generally elliptical in shape. 
     
     
         14 . A method of conveying air through a mouth guard, the method comprising:
 aligning a pair of molar receiving elements within a user's mouth, said molar receiving elements being coupled together via an intermediate guard portion and an outer guard;   providing a multiple chamber air channel within at least the intermediate guard portion and the outer guard, including at least a forward air chamber open to the outer guard and a bifurcated pair of air chambers positioned behind the forward air chamber and open to an inner guard wall, with said pair of air chambers established substantially rearward from the outer guard; and   passing air through the air channel and into the user.   
     
     
         15 . The mouth guard of  claims 1  through  8  comprising a medical grade silicone material. 
     
     
         16 . The mouth guard of  claim 15  wherein the mouth guard is immediately ready to use without fitting or pretreatment. 
     
     
         17 . The mouth guard of  claims 1  through  8  comprising a TPE and/or TPU compatible material. 
     
     
         18 . The mouth guard of  claims 1  through  8  wherein the outer guard is sized to cover and protect the user's lips. 
     
     
         19 . The mouth guard of  claims 1  through  8  wherein marketing or commercial indicia, including logos or trademarks, is provided on the lip guard.