What is a Mouth Guard?
A mouth guard is a protective device worn over the teeth and gums to shield them from injury during sports or nighttime teeth grinding. It’s typically made of a flexible plastic material that molds to the shape of the wearer’s teeth, providing a cushioning barrier against impact. In sports, especially contact sports like boxing, football, or hockey, a mouth guard helps absorb and distribute the force of blows to the face, reducing the risk of broken teeth, lacerations, and other oral injuries.
For individuals who grind their teeth during sleep, known as bruxism, a mouth guard can prevent wear and tear on the teeth, as well as alleviate jaw pain and headaches. By cushioning the teeth and jaws, a guard acts as a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, minimizing the damage caused by grinding or clenching. Overall, wearing a mouth guard is a simple yet effective way to protect the teeth and mouth from harm in various situations.
What is the Difference Between a Mouth Guard and a Dental Guard?
Are you confused about the distinction between mouth guard and dental guard? Many people use these terms interchangeably, but there are important differences between the two. Understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring proper protection for your teeth during various activities.
The both guards serve different purposes and are designed differently:
Purpose
Mouth Guard: Designed for athletes in contact sports like hockey, cricket, or boxing. Protects your teeth, lips, and gums from injuries during impacts or falls.
Dental Guard (Night Guard): Worn at night while you sleep to prevent damage caused by teeth grinding (bruxism) or clenching. This unconscious habit can wear down the enamel, cause cracks, and even lead to jaw problems.
Material
Mouth Guard: Typically thicker and made from a softer, shock-absorbing material like rubber or silicone. Needs to cushion blows and distribute the impact force.
Dental Guard: Can be thinner and made from a harder, more durable material like acrylic. Needs to withstand the constant friction of grinding teeth but also allow for comfortable sleep.
Where to Get Them
Mouth Guard: Readily available at sports stores or online. Customised ones require a visit to the dentist.
Dental Guard: Exclusively available from dentists. They’ll examine your teeth and create a guard tailored to your specific needs.
Read Also:- Benefits Of Wearing A Mouth Guard For Sleeping
Remember, both mouth guards and dental guards play a crucial role in oral health. If you’re unsure which one you need, consult your dentist for expert advice.
Different Types of Mouth Guard
There are several mouth guards types available, each serving specific purposes and catering to different needs:
Stock Mouth Guards
These are pre-formed and come ready to wear. They are inexpensive and can be found at most sporting goods stores. However, they often don’t fit well and may be uncomfortable to wear for extended periods.
Boil and Bite Mouth Guards
These mouth guards are made from a thermoplastic material that softens when boiled. The wearer then bites into the softened material, allowing it to mold to the shape of their teeth. While they offer a better fit compared to stock mouth guards, they may still not provide the same level of customization as custom-made mouth guards.
Custom-Made Mouth Guards
These are made by dental professionals based on impressions of the wearer’s teeth. They offer the best fit and comfort since they are tailored to the individual’s mouth. Custom-made mouth guards also provide the highest level of protection against impact and injury, making them ideal for athletes engaged in high-impact sports.
Night Guards
These mouth guards are specifically designed to be worn during sleep to protect against teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism). They are usually made from soft materials and are comfortable to wear throughout the night.
Dual-Purpose Mouth Guards
Some mouth guards are designed to serve dual purposes, offering protection both during sports activities and against teeth grinding at night. These mouth guards may have different features on each side to cater to the specific needs of each activity.
Selecting the appropriate mouth guard hinges on factors like its intended use, desired protection level, and personal preferences. Consulting a dental professional is crucial for finding the best fit. Additionally, proper care and maintenance are essential for maintaining effectiveness and durability.
Who Needs a Mouth Guard?
Anyone can use mouth guard, whether children or adults, and people who play outdoor and active sports such as football, boxing, hockey, basketball, baseball, and rugby. However, even participating in non-contact sports (like gymnastics) and any other recreational activity or an outdoor hobby (like skateboarding, hiking, biking) that might have a slight risk of injury to the mouth is safe if you apply this dental appliance and wear a protective mouth guard helping in the safety of your teeth.
Adults and children who have a habit of grinding their teeth at night should have this nocturnal bite plate or bite splint especially made to prevent tooth damage.
Read Also:- How Effective Are Gum-shields in Sports Mouth Guard Protecting Your Teeth?
What Does A Mouth Guard Do?
A dentist may suggest a mouth guard for many reasons. Below we have listed some of the crucial reasons you might need mouth guard:-
- Play contact games like football, cricket, basketball, hockey, and others.
Snore. - Have obstructive sleep apnea.
- Participating in activities with high fall risk, such as gymnastics, biking, and others.
What are The Advantages of Mouth Guards?
Wearing a mouth guard during contact play can help you avoid:-
- Chipped teeth.
- Damage to your tooth pulp.
- Soft tissue injury to your gums, lips, and inner cheeks.
Wearing a mouth guard while sleeping can help you reduce:-
- Wear & tear from clenching or grinding your teeth.
- Snoring.
- Sleep apnea and related complications, including high blood pressure and daytime fatigue.
Why Use a Mouth Guard When Playing Sports?
Physical activity includes contact, which increases the chance of accidents that can happen anytime in outdoor sports, so the importance of a mouth guard comes into play. Using this while playing any outdoor sports helps limit the injuries related to the mouth and minimize the risk associated with it.
Hence safeguarding your lips, tongue, jaw, and soft tissues inside your mouth. Mouth guards also help if a person has chipped or broken teeth, has nerve damage, or even has lost a tooth.
Can an Individual Wear a Mouth Guard If They Wear Braces?
Yes, definitely. Since an injury to the face could also damage the braces or any other already fixed dental appliances, a guard that properly fits into your mouth becomes handy and is efficient for people who use braces or have a fixed bridge working in their mouth.
After examining your case, your dentist can suggest a mouth guard that will protect your particular and individual mouth work. Also, an important note: do not wear any other orthodontic retainers or any removable, non-fixed dental appliances while playing any outdoor sports or during any recreational activities that put your mouth at risk of an injury.
How Do I Care for My Mouth Guard?
- Cleanse your mouth guard with cold water clean your mouth initially and later with each use of it and clean it with a mild soap and a toothbrush.
- Clean your mouth guard with cool and soapy water, and rinse it thoroughly to remove all the dirt.
- Place the mouth guard in a fixed container while not in use or transporting it. This helps in air circulation and prevents any kind of damage to a mouth guard.
- If the mouth guard is acrylic, fresh and clean water should be used to store it.
- To minimize the distortion or change in shape and avoid the mouth guard from direct high temperatures like sunlight, hot water, or any other hot surface.
- Check the mouth guard regularly for using it as general wear. If you find any holes in it or it has become loose, causing discomfort, replace it with a new mouth guard.
- Regularly examine your mouth guard from your dentist by bringing it together with you in all of your scheduled visits to your dentist.
Are There Side Effects of Mouth Guard?
Using a mouth guard can indeed have some side effects, though they are typically mild and temporary. It’s important to be aware of these potential issues:
- Discomfort: Initial discomfort is common, but it typically decreases with time as you adjust to wearing the mouth guard.
- Difficulty speaking: Speech may be affected initially, but most people find their speech returns to normal with practice.
- Excessive saliva: Increased saliva production may occur at first, but usually diminishes as your mouth adjusts.
- Jaw pain: A properly fitted mouth guard can help prevent jaw pain caused by tightness or pressure.
- Gag reflex: Bulky or ill-fitted guards may trigger the gag reflex; adjustments may be needed to address this.
To minimize these mouth guard side effects, it’s crucial to ensure that the guard is properly fitted by a dental professional. If any persistent discomfort or problems arise while using a mouth guard, consulting a dentist is advisable.
Conclusion
Both mouth guard and dental guard play vital roles in protecting teeth from injury and damage. Understanding their differences and choosing the right type for your needs is essential for maintaining oral health and overall well-being. Whether you’re hitting the field or hitting the hay, protecting your teeth is always a smart move.