What are the Types of Mouthguard?
Broadly speaking, there are two kinds of mouthguards:
- Sleep Mouthguards/Nightguards
- Sports Mouthguards
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.
