There are different variations of mouth guards, just like most other things in today’s society. However, custom-fitted mouth and night guards are made of flexible plastic, molded to fit the unique shape of each of your individual teeth.
The basics
Night guards are meant to help patients who clench or grind their teeth at night, whereas mouth guards are to protect teeth during physical activity – such as sports. Mouth guards, also called sports guards, are designed to protect teeth, cheek lining, jaw and tongue from sudden shock and force associated with many physical activities.
How custom-fitted guards benefit patients
Custom-fitted guards are made by taking an impression of your upper and lower teeth, setting it in plaster and sending the cast to the laboratory for creation. Pre-formed or mouth-formed guards, also called boil-and-bite guards, bought from sporting goods stores or health stores can be too thick for some mouths and may not fit tightly around the teeth. Custom-fitted guards take into account your previous dental history, such as braces or caps, making it fit more comfortably in your mouth. Guards that are custom-fitted should stay in without your mouth having to be closed, as opposed to pre-formed guards, which can fall out since they are not as secure around your teeth. Pre-formed guards do not take into account the specific purpose of the guard and are more general. Custom-fitted guards are made depending on what sports or physical activity you’re doing or how you grind or clench your teeth at night.]
Pre-formed and mouth-formed
Pre-formed and mouth-formed guards are not one size fits all, putting your teeth and mouth at risk if you use one in place of a custom-fitted guard. In order to best protect your teeth and keep your mouth comfortable, consider scheduling an appointment for a custom-fitted mouth or night guard.
If you have questions about mouth guards, give Gulf Coast Dental a call. We can help you find the perfect mouth guard for your needs.
