Mouthguards: Different Types for Different Reasons

When you hear the word “mouthguard,” what do you think of? For many people, it takes them back to their high school years and those horrible stock mouthguards they had to wear during football or another contact sport. But the truth is, mouthguards come in many varieties, many forms, and work to protect the teeth from many different conditions. Each type of mouthguard is made differently, with different dental issues in mind. To better understand this, let’s take a look at the different mouthguard varieties and what they do.

How a Mouthguard Fits

Before we look at the different types of mouthguards, let’s look at the different fit styles that mouthguards come in. There are three varieties: stock, boil-and-bite, and custom-fit.

• Stock – Stock mouthguards are typically found at sporting goods stores or pharmacies, depending on the variety. They are a one-size-fits-all option and relatively inexpensive. While they offer some level of protection, they tend to be bulky and uncomfortable, interfering with speech and breathing.
• Boil-and-Bite – boil-and-bite mouthguards provide some level of customization. You place these guards in boiling water to soften the material and then place them on your teeth and gently bite down to form them. While they do provide more protection and comfort than traditional stock guards, they can still be bulky and, if the bite is not done correctly, the fit can be incorrect.
• Custom-Fit – Custom-fit mouthguards provide the most protection as they are made from a mold of your teeth. These guards are typically thinner and much more comfortable. Because they conform perfectly to your teeth, they also offer the best level of protection to your teeth and jaw.

Athletic Mouthguards

Athletic mouthguards are designed to protect the teeth, gums, and jaw from a sudden impact injury common in a variety of different sports. For example, a football player sustains a helmet-to-helmet hit, or a baseball player that takes a ball to the teeth. They come in different colors too like a red mouthguard.

Custom-fit athletic mouthguards, like those offered from SportingSmiles, offer a more comfortable fit and better protection.

Athletic mouthguards don’t just protect your teeth. This type of mouthguard is bulkier than other styles of mouthguards because, in addition to the teeth, they extend to cover your gums and protect this soft tissue from injury.

Types of Night Teeth Grinding Mouthguards

Night teeth grinding guards work for people that suffer from bruxism, or teeth grinding and clenching. They work to protect the surface of the teeth from tooth to tooth contact. This type of mouthguard covers the surface of the teeth and, unlike athletic mouthguards, does not extend down into the gumline. Because people wear these for extended hours during sleep and grind their teeth together, having a guard that extends into the gumline could potentially cause gum irritation and injury. Let’s take a look at some of the different types of night teeth grinding guards.

Teeth grinding guards come in many different types designed to withstand the force placed by mild to severe grinding. To learn more about the different grinding guards available, such as the Custom Flexible Super Hard Dental Night Guard, visit SportingSMiles today.

• Soft Guards – Soft teeth grinding guards are made from soft, flexible plastic and are the most comfortable variety. Unfortunately, they are not made for everyone and will not work for those that are extreme grinders. They work best for people with mild to moderate teeth grinding.
• Hard Guards – Hard guards are made from a hard acrylic and very durable. Unfortunately, this durability comes with less flexibility. They work best for people with severe bruxism and those with TMJ.
• Dual Laminate Guards – Dual laminate guards are the best of both worlds. They combine a soft inner layer with a hard, outer shell. This provides comfort as well as durability and works for all levels of teeth grinding.

Daytime Teeth Grinding Guards

While teeth grinding and clenching is most often associated with sleep, it can happen during the day. Daytime grinding is most often associated with stress and, while people are more aware of their daytime grinding and behavioral changes can reduce it, a grinding guard is often still necessary to protect the surface of the teeth. While night guards can work for this, they are often too bulky and noticeable to wear during daily activities. The design of daytime guards leaves your front teeth uncovered (back cut) while providing surface coverage of the back teeth. This type of mouthguard prevents damage from grinding while being invisible to others and allowing you to speak without impairment.

Choose the Type of Mouthguard You Need

As you can see, not all types of mouthguards are made the same and one will not work like the other. When choosing a mouthguard, it is essential that you choose one designed for the protection you need. If you grind your teeth at night, an athletic guard will not provide the necessary protection. In contrast, it can actually contribute to more problems, such as gum injury.

At SportingSmiles, we offer athletic mouthguards as well as guards for bruxism, or teeth grinding. We are happy to help you find the perfect guard for your needs. Our patented self-impression kit allows you to make a mold at home and, once we receive the mold, we create a custom-fit guard that provides you with custom protection. Follow these links for more information about athletic mouthguards and teeth grinding guards from SportingSmiles today.