Why Fit Matters: The Importance of a Properly Fitted Mouth Guard

Types of Mouth Guard

• Stock Mouth Guards: Pre-made and ready to wear. While protective, they are not as flexible and comfortable as they need to be when offering optimal protection.
• Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guards: Available in different sizes, although this is form-fitted and can be altered to a semi-personalized size after boiling in water. It is better than the stock mouth guards but doesn’t offer the precision of custom options.
• Custom-Fitted Mouth Guards: Fitted in the individual’s teeth by a dental expert for optimal shield, flexibility, and sturdiness.

Why Fit Matters in Mouth Guard?

Protection And Safety

The major purpose of a mouth guard is to act as a protective cushion so that the wearer is protected from harm to their teeth, gums, or jaws. But if a mouth guard is not properly fitted, it cannot offer the protection it’s designed for. Here’s why:

• Improved Shock Absorption

  A well-fitted mouth guard disperses pressure or force throughout the mouth to reduce the possibility of injury. This minimizes the chances of having broken teeth, gum cuts, and even jaw fractures.

• Minimal Movement

  Custom-made mouth guards do not move around in the mouth. This secure positioning minimizes the chances of choking while guaranteeing that the mouth guard is in the right position during critical moments.

• Reduced Injury Risk

  Custom-fitted mouth guards can minimize the probability of both minor and major oral injuries, especially in contact sports. Football players, boxers, hockey players, etc. are most prone to dental injuries, and a snug fit ensures maximum protection.

• Comfort And Compliance

  If a mouth guard is uncomfortable, users are far less likely to wear it, even if it could protect their teeth during sporting activities. Discomfort may result from the use of tight or loose-fitting mouth guards, as they may cut the gums or fall off, respectively. This allows the wearer to breathe easily, speak fluently, and even swallow and drink while wearing it.

• Better Compliance

  A mouth guard is likely to be worn frequently if it is comfortable. It is an essential consideration for those who have to use it daily due to health conditions such as bruxism or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome.

Performance Impact

In sports, performance is a very critical aspect. A poorly fit mouth guard can be uncomfortable, distracting an athlete from the game, and may also reduce their energy.

Enhanced Athlete Performance

A well-fitting mouth guard ensures that the athletes do not have to pay attention to their protective equipment. A secure mouth guard keeps it in position, while athletes can easily breathe and avoid constant readjustments.

Clear Communication

Mouth guards are necessary for communication, particularly on sports teams, and speech problems may result from problems like TMJ brought on by poor-fitting mouth guards. A well-fitted mouth guard especially custom-made, allows athletes to talk without taking it off.

Custom-Fitted Mouth Guard

A dental professional makes an accurate impression of each tooth to fabricate custom mouth guards. These mouth guards are designed to adapt to the specific dimensions of your teeth and are therefore effective, comfortable, and durable.

• Perfect Fit

  Custom-fitted mouth guards are the best, as they are designed to fit your teeth’s size and shape.

• Greater Comfort

  As they are customized, they eliminate the need for extra weight or friction, making it easier to communicate, breathe, and carry out daily activities.

• Long-lasting

  Custom-made mouth guards are typically constructed from higher-quality materials that can easily last longer, even when used frequently.

Over the Counter Mouth Guards

These include stock, boil, and bite types of mouth guards, which are cheaper than the custom types. However, they offer less comfort and are not as suitable to provide long-term or high-impact protection.

Athletes in Contact Sports

Some of the sports that necessitate the use of mouth guards include boxing, football, rugby, hockey, and martial arts. In this case, athletes need to use a properly fitted mouth guard that is comfortable and secure to protect them from impact forces.

Individuals with TMJ Disorders

Conditions affecting the TMJ can lead to jaw discomfort, popping, and stiffness. This may require custom-fitted mouth guards that are worn at night to ease off pressure within the jaw and result in better sleeping patterns.

Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Treatments

For patients with braces or any orthodontic treatment, mouth guards prevent both the teeth and orthodontic appliances from being damaged during sports.

Consult a Dentist

To guarantee that the mouth guard fits the individual effectively, it is advisable to seek the services of a dentist. Your dentist can take exact impressions of your teeth, which will make the mouth guard fit properly without causing any discomfort.

Choose The Right Type

The choice between a stock, boil-and-bite, and custom-fit mouth guard depends on the user’s requirements, budget, and usage level. If you are an athlete or somebody who requires consistent protection, then it is wise to invest in a custom mouth guard.

Test for Comfort And Security

When you choose a mouth guard, you should try it on and see whether it fits comfortably or not. An ideal mouth guard should fit well with little interference into the gums without exerting excessive pressure.

Regularly Check And Replace

Mouth guards can become worn out with time, and their defensive capability may be rendered ineffective. Check your mouth guard for any signs of wear and tear and use a new one if your current one shows some signs of damage. For athletes, the mouth guard should be replaced after each season, while for other people it might take a shorter time.