Mouth Guard

A mouthguard or a mouth protector, is a custom-fitted dental appliance made of flexible material, widely used as a night mouth guard. People wear mouth guards over their teeth during sports or recreational activities to protect them from injury. Mouth guards also protect soft tissues if a person wears braces or takes part in sports like football, basketball, gymnastics, or boxing.

Usually, mouthguards cover only one arch (mostly upper). However, if a patient has braces or other fixed dental appliances on one arch of the jaw, then dentists might recommend a mouthguard for that arch. Dentists can help in choosing the most suitable mouthguard for an individual's needs. An effective mouthguard should be comfortable to wear, resistant to tearing, durable, easy to clean, and does not interfere with breathing or speech.

Purposes of Mouth Guards

Dentists recommend mouth guards for multiple reasons. The basic purpose of mouth guards is to provide protection if patient:

• Grind their teeth
• Have TMJ disorder
• Have sleep apnea
• Have complaint of snoring
• Play sports like football, basketball, boxing or hockey.

Benefits of Mouth Guards

Mouth guards offer multiple benefits to maintain teeth and oral health such as:

• Protects teeth from attrition
• Prevents snoring issues
• Reduces jaw pain
• Reduces headaches in morning
• Reduces breathing issues while sleeping (sleep apnea)
• Lower the risk of serious mouth injuries

Types of Mouth Guards

There are several types of mouth guards available as per the individual unique oral need.

1. Stock mouth guards
These are ready to wear mouth guards, easily available at pharmacy and sports goods store. They are easy to wear but may cause difficulty in speaking and breathing. Material for stock mouth guards is rubber or polyvinyl. These are the least expensive compared to others.

2. Boil and bite mouth guards
These are the most common type of mouth guards used worldwide. They need to be placed in boiling water and molded with the help of fingers as per individual oral structures. One of the major advantages of boil and bite mouth guards is that they can be reheated if they are uncomfortable or become loose.

3. Shell liner mouth guards
are lined with acrylic gel or rubber and get its shape as per teeth structure and position. They are more comfortable and give better fit than stock mouthguards. However, they do not provide complete protection for jawbone.

4. Lip protector mouth guards
Lip protector mouth guards cover lips, upper and lower teeth to provide complete protection. Handling of these types of mouth guards is easy but they need to be clenched to keep them in place. These types of mouth guards are best for patients wearing orthodontic appliances.

5. Custom fitted mouth guards
Custom fitted mouth guards give the maximum comfort, fitting, and protection to oral structures. These are made in dental laboratories after taking patient’s impression. These are the most expensive but known to be the best for their protection.

Importance of Using a Mouth Guard

Mouth guards act as barrier between tongue and teeth, and between lips/cheeks and teeth. It reduces the risk of soft tissue damage due to accidental fall or sudden injury. Mouthguards stay securely in place during intense physical activity. It does not tear because of heavy pressure and offers maximum comfort.

How to Choose a Mouth Guard

Choosing the right mouth guard involves several factors and considerations to meet individuals’ unique needs and preferences. Consider the following factors carefully to find the most suitable mouth guard.

• Type of mouth guard
• Purpose of mouth guard
• Comfort and fit
• Material of mouth guard
• Durability
• Ease of cleaning and maintenance
• Size and adjustability

Selection of mouth guards depends on patients’ needs like; if a patient needs a mouth guard for sports, select a custom-fitted or boil and bite mouth guard and if a patient needs a mouth guard for bruxism, select a custom-made mouth guard. Some people might need snoring mouth guard for breathing or sinus issues.

Material Selection

Typically mouth guards are made of acrylic or silicone material. These materials make strong and comfortable mouth guards. Selection material also depends on the purpose of mouth guard. Common material for mouth guards is:

• Silicone: This material is best for bruxism patients.
• Hard acrylic: This material is good for custom-made mouth guards for physical activities and sports.
• Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA): This is a thermoplastic material that gets hardened on boiling and molds into the desired shape. EVA is one of the best materials in terms of comfort and protection.

Care and Maintenance

• Wash your mouth guards after every use
• Brush your mouth guard with soft brush
• Store in case when out of the mouth
• Keep it in cool and dry case
• Avoid sugary food intake with mouth guards