What is a Mouthguard?
A mouthguard is a device worn over the teeth to cushion them against impact or excessive force, protecting your teeth, gums, and jaw from wear or trauma. It creates a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, or between your teeth and an external force, depending on how it's used.
What are the Types of Mouthguard?
Mouthguards vary by how they're made and what they're worn for.
By how it's made:
- Stock — Pre-formed, limited fit
- Boil-and-bite — Moulded at home, rough fit
- Custom-fitted — Made from your impression, most precise
By purpose:
- Nightguards — Worn during sleep against grinding
- Sports mouthguards — Worn during activity against impact
Custom-fitted mouthguards are generally recommended, as the precise fit offers the best protection for everyday and high-contact use.
Night Guards VS Sport Guards
Both night guards and sports guards are meant to protect our teeth, but they protect them in different ways.
- A nightguard functions by protecting the teeth surfaces from being worn down from long term wear and tear from parafunctional habits such as bruxism/grinding and clenching. In addition, nightguards reduce jaw tension and the incidence of headaches from such parafunctional habits.
- A sport mouth guard is primarily worn to protect the teeth and mouth in case of sudden, hard impact. As a result, while a night guard may be made from durable hard acrylic plastic to withstand grinding over a long period of time, a sport mouthguard is usually made from a softer material that can absorb the force of sudden impact. And while a dental night guard only needs to cover the occlusal surface of your teeth, a sport mouth guard should cover your teeth including your gums.
Do You Need a Mouthguard?
A Mouthguard can potentially protect you from various forms of dental problems or injuries whether when you are sleeping or engaging in sports. If you are in need of a mouthguard, our dentists at AllSmiles Dental will do a thorough assessment and indicate the most suitable type of mouthguard for your specific needs.
