Understanding the Differences: Night Guards vs. Sport Mouth Guards

Securing the perfect smile can be a priority for everyone. For this purpose, orthodontics has introduced two significant dental gear: night guards and mouth guards. Both are designed for the same purpose, which is to protect your smile, yet they are different in multiple ways.

Selecting a suitable dental product for your smile can be challenging at times. In this blog, we will explore which dental gear is suitable for your smile by understanding its types and purposes.

Understanding Night Guards

A night guard is dental equipment placed inside the mouth to protect your smile from teeth grinding while you sleep peacefully. It is made of durable material that offers comfort throughout the night.

Purpose of Night Guards

Do you wake up with severe morning headaches? If yes, it is a sign for you to protect your teeth at night. Morning headaches are common symptoms of nighttime teeth clenching and grinding. This further creates dental complications such as wear and tear of teeth, jaw pain, and headaches.

Wearing a night guard helps avoid this issue. It acts as a barrier between the upper and lower jaws and prevents their contact with each other. It absorbs the pressure applied to the jaws and reduces discomfort at night.

Types of Night Guards

Multiple types of night guards are available in the market. The following are the three main types:

1. Soft Night Guard

This type of night guard is used for mild conditions. It is made of a 3 mm EVA plastic material that protects your teeth when you sleep. A soft night guard is a flexible dental product that feels gentle to your smile.

2. Hard Night Guard

Hard night guards are specifically designed for severe teeth grinders. They are made of 2 mm PETG rigid plastic material and offer more protection than the soft night guard.

3. Hybrid Night Guard

This type of night guard is a combination of both soft and hard night guards. It has a soft interior with a tough exterior, prioritizing your comfort and protection at the same time. These are designed for moderate to severe nighttime teeth grinders.

Benefits of Wearing Night Guards

Wearing a night guard offers the following benefits:

• Prevents Bruxism

  Bruxism is a dental term referring to teeth grinding and clenching. A person goes through bruxism under stress or depression. Excessive teeth grinding can put a strain on your jaw, leading to tooth damage and pain. A night guard helps in avoiding bruxism and prevents long-term damage to your smile.

• Helps in TMJ Relief

  TMJ disorder, also known as temporomandibular joint disorder, is a condition that impacts your jaws. Temporomandibular joints are present on each side of your face, right in front of the ears. The excessive strain on the jaw points is the main reason for this dental condition. Wearing a night guard reduces pressure on the jaws and offers relief from jaw pain.

• Improves Sleep

  Your sleep might get disturbed by a TMJ disorder or bruxism. Since both conditions result in severe jaw pains, this can lead to discomfort. When wearing a night guard, your jaws stay in their position to avoid bruxism. Hence, it helps you get improved sleep throughout the night.

• Avoids Morning Headaches

  Many people might not be aware that they are going through nighttime teeth grinding. Waking up with a severe headache is a clue for you. You can now prevent morning headaches by protecting your smile.

Understanding Sports Mouth Guards

Sports mouth guards are protective dental devices made of thermoplastic material. They are placed inside the mouth and cover your jaw and teeth to prevent any dental injury during intense sports activity.

Purpose of Sports Mouth Guards

A sports mouth guard is designed to prevent sports-related dental injuries such as a chipped or broken tooth. A slight push or force applied to your smile can lead to other dental complications. It acts as a shock absorber and reduces the risk of severe injuries. This is why wearing a sports mouth guard plays a crucial role in maintaining your perfect smile. Therefore, if you are an athlete, make sure to wear a mouth guard during intense physical activities.

Types of Sports Mouth Guards

There are three main types of mouth guards offering different levels of protection. Depending on your requirements, you can choose any of the below-mentioned sports mouth guards:

1. Stock Mouth Guard

These are ready-to-wear mouth guards available at any sports goods shop. If you are looking for the least expensive option, opt for a stock mouth guard. Since they are pre-made, they might not fit you properly, offering less protection.

2. Boil and Bite Mouth Guard

It is the type of mouth guard that offers more protection than the stock mouth guard. Boil and bite mouth guard is a thermoplastic material that can be slightly customized according to your mouth. It is placed in hot water to soften it, after which it is placed inside the mouth. With the help of your teeth and tongue, you can mold it accordingly. To make it stay in the required position, you might have to bite it, which can cause difficulty breathing and talking during the game.

3. Custom-Fit Mouth Guard

A custom-fit mouth guard is designed according to the size of your mouth. It is created under the supervision of a dental expert using your smile impressions. Although custom-fit mouth guards are expensive, they provide enhanced protection.

Benefits of Sports Mouth Guards

For an athlete, wearing a sports mouth guard plays an important role. The following are some benefits offered by them:

• Offers Protection

  For an athlete, protecting the perfect smile might be a main concern. Wearing a sports mouth guard offers complete protection and prevents a dental mishap. Furthermore, you can focus on your game without worrying about getting your smile damaged.

• Prevents Soft Tissue Injury

  Mouth guards are not only responsible for protecting the teeth but the soft tissues as well. It avoids cuts or abrasions on your lips, tongue, or cheeks.

• Avoids Dental Concussion

  Tooth concussion is a dental issue that is mostly faced by athletes. It is a dental trauma in which a hard blow damages the ligaments of teeth but does not break them, further leading to intense toothache. To ensure this does not happen, wear a mouth guard that does not allow a hard push or blow to impact your smile.

• Protection Against Jaw Injury

  A hard blow to your mouth can lead to a fractured jaw. Those who experience this issue may require expensive treatment for recovery. For the sake of avoiding this condition, wear a sports mouth guard that absorbs any force applied to your face.

Difference Between Night Guards and Sports Mouth Guards

To sum it up, night guards and sports mouth guards serve the same function of protecting your smile yet are different in multiple ways. Night guards offer protection against grinding and clenching while you sleep, whereas a mouth guard keeps your smile protected while being involved in a sports activity. Before opting for dental gear, understand its purpose. Since both these products require a perfect fit and comfort, get them customized according to your mouth. Smilepath considers your requirements and customizes these dental gears for your smile.

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