What It Is
A mouth guard is a protective dental appliance worn over the teeth to prevent injury or damage during physical activity or while sleeping. Mouth guards can be used for sports protection, nighttime teeth grinding, or TMJ management.
They come in three main types:
- Stock (pre-formed, ready to wear)
- Boil-and-bite (semi-custom, moldable at home)
- Custom-fit (professionally made by a dentist)
How It’s Used
- Worn during physical activities (e.g., football, boxing, hockey).
- Covers the upper teeth (sometimes both upper and lower).
- Must be worn during play or contact drills.
- May cover either upper or lower teeth, depending on the design.
- Custom versions are fitted by a dentist and more comfortable for long-term use.
Cleaning and Storage:
- Rinse and brush after each use.
- Store in a ventilated case when not in use.
Why It’s Used
- To prevent tooth damage from contact sports or grinding.
- To protect dental work like crowns, veneers, or bridges.
- To reduce jaw pain and prevent TMJ disorders.
- To decrease the risk of concussions (in sports).
- To prevent headaches and tooth wear from bruxism.
- It acts as a shock absorber, distributing force evenly and reducing trauma to teeth, jaws, and even the brain in sports impacts.
When It’s Used
- During contact or high-risk sports (football, martial arts, hockey, basketball, etc.)
- At night, if you grind or clench your teeth (bruxism)
- After dental restorations, to protect crowns or implants
A laboratory custom-made mouth guard has the best results. Unfortunately, an over-the-counter mouth guard is not recommended because the fit is not precise and can cause more problems to the situation.
