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Mouth Guards vs. Night Guards - What's the Difference?

As a loyal customer, you know that we aim to educate and inform. Today we're diving into an important topic that can impact your dental health: the difference between mouth guards and night guards.


Mouth Guards vs. Night Guards - What's the Difference?

With so many options like retainers, night guards, and sports guards, it's easy to get confused. We're here to clear things up in this quick 101 guide. Whether you're an athlete looking for protection or suffer from teeth grinding at night, understanding the distinction is key. We'll break down the pros and cons of each while offering tips for choosing what's right for your needs. You'll learn when and why mouth guards and night guards are recommended and walk away informed. Let's get started!


Table of Contents

What is a Mouth Guard used for?
Types of Mouth Guards
How Are Mouth Guards Made?
What type of night guard is best for clenching?
Mouth Guards for Sports
What is the difference between a bite guard and a mouth guard?
Mouth Guards vs. Night Guards FAQ
Conclusion

 

What is a Mouth Guard used for?


Protecting Teeth During Sports

A mouth guard is primarily worn to protect teeth from injury during contact or high-impact sports. It acts as a protective barrier that covers the teeth and prevents them from being chipped, cracked, or knocked out due to collisions, falls, or blows to the face. Popular contact sports like football, hockey, boxing, rugby, and basketball put athletes at high risk of dental trauma. Wearing a custom-fitted mouth guard helps limit these risks significantly.


Preventing Teeth Grinding Damage

Beyond sports, mouth guards are also commonly used to treat bruxism - the involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth, often during sleep. Custom night guards act as a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, preventing excessive wear and tear that can damage tooth enamel over time. These "nocturnal bite plates" or "bite splints" redistribute the grinding forces more evenly to protect the teeth.


Managing Sleep Disorders

In some cases, mouth guards can help treat sleep apnea and snoring by repositioning the jaw to keep the airway open during sleep. This reduces disruptions caused by obstructed breathing. Similarly, they may provide relief for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders by reducing strain on the jaw muscles and joints from grinding.


Custom Fit for Optimal Protection

While off-the-shelf boil-and-bite or stock mouth guards are available, custom-fitted guards made by dentists based on dental impressions offer superior protection, comfort, and retention. They conform precisely to the unique contours of an individual's teeth for a secure yet comfortable fit during wear. At Maple Dental, we aim to provide the highest quality custom mouth guards tailored to each patient's needs in our comfortable, fear-free environment.


 

Types of Mouth Guards


Standard Mouth Guards

As the name implies, standard mouth guards offer basic protection for your teeth during sports or activities with a risk of dental injury. These one-size-fits-all guards are inexpensive and readily available over-the-counter. However, they often feel bulky and can make breathing and speaking difficult due to their loose fit.


Boil and Bite Mouth Guards

Boil and bite mouth guards provide a more customized fit compared to standard options. You soften the thermoplastic material in boiling water, then bite into it, allowing it to mold around your teeth as it cools. This process improves comfort and retention while still offering decent protection at an affordable price point.


Custom-Made Mouth Guards

For optimal comfort, protection, and retention, custom-made mouth guards are hard to beat. Your dentist takes precise impressions and molds the guard from a professional-grade material for a snug, personalized fit tailored to your mouth. Though more expensive, these are considered the gold standard for impact absorption and injury prevention.


Night Guards

Night guards differ from athletic mouth guards in both purpose and design. Rather than shielding against impacts, they protect your teeth from the grinding and clenching forces of bruxism during sleep. Night guards are typically slimmer, with smooth occlusal surfaces to prevent excessive wear on your enamel.

At Maple Dental, our experienced team can recommend the ideal mouth guard type for your unique needs and provide custom fittings for maximum comfort and protection. We aim to fulfill all dental needs in a comfortable, fear-free environment through our comprehensive services and quality products.


 

How Are Mouth Guards Made?


Custom Molding Process

If you're looking for maximum protection and a precise fit, custom mouth guards are the way to go. The process starts by taking dental impressions of your teeth to create an exact mold. Skilled technicians at places like Maple Dental then use this mold to fabricate your personalized guard.


First, they choose the ideal mouthguard material based on your needs - soft and flexible for nighttime teeth grinding, or more rigid for high-impact sports. Common options include:

  • Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)

  • Thermoplastic polymers

  • Multi-laminate composites


Forming the Guard

The selected material is then carefully heated and molded around your dental impression using specialized equipment. Techniques like pressure forming and vacuum forming ensure a tight, comfortable fit that protects your teeth, gums, and soft tissues.

Once formed, the guard goes through final inspections and adjustments. Technicians check the bite alignment and make any minor modifications for an optimal fit tailored just for you.


Superior Protection

The extra time and effort put into custom mouth guards pays off. While boil-and-bite and stock options can help, they don't compare to made-to-measure versions created from impressions of your actual teeth.

With their precision design and high-quality materials, custom mouth guards from dental professionals offer unbeatable comfort, retention, and shielding for your smile.


 

What type of night guard is best for clenching?


Anterior Bite Splints for Acute Clenching

For acute jaw clenching and muscle hyperactivity causing pain, an anterior bite plane splint is often recommended. This type of night guard covers just the front teeth, completely separating the back teeth to inhibit clenching forces. An anterior splint can provide fast relief by relaxing overactive jaw muscles over 2-4 weeks of use.


Full Coverage for Long-Term Protection

While temporary anterior splints target acute clenching, full coverage night guards offer more comprehensive, long-term protection. Custom-fitted to your mouth, these guards form a barrier over all upper or lower teeth. This prevents direct tooth-to-tooth contact that can cause enamel erosion and sensitivity from chronic grinding and clenching habits.


Upper vs. Lower Guards

The ideal night guard type also depends on whether you primarily experience clenching or grinding motions. For clenchers, an upper night guard may suffice by cushioning the forceful jaw closing. But those who grind side-to-side may need a lower guard to limit lateral tooth movements as well.


At Maple Dental, we offer custom upper and lower night guards to suit your specific condition. After taking dental impressions, a precise-fitting guard is crafted by our dental lab within 1-2 weeks.


Comfort and Protection

Ultimately, the best night guard balances comfort with effective teeth protection. Many people find boil-and-bite style mouth guards easy to self-fit while still limiting grinding damage. With proper sizing and adjustment, these affordable guards can provide a good solution for clenchers on a budget.


 

Mouth Guards for Sports


The Need for Protection

Participating in contact sports like football, hockey, basketball and martial arts puts athletes at a high risk of dental injuries. In fact, studies show that athletes are 60 times more likely to sustain dental damage without a proper mouth guard. These injuries can range from minor chips and cracks to severe fractures, tooth avulsions (being knocked out), and luxations (dislodgement).


Types of Mouth Guards

To prevent such traumatic injuries, mouth guards act as protective barriers for your teeth and jaws. There are three main types available:

  • Stock Mouth Guards: These ready-made, generic options are inexpensive but provide the least protection and comfort.

  • Boil and Bite: These semi-custom guards are softened in hot water to mold around your teeth, offering better fit than stock versions.

  • Custom-Made: Dentist-fabricated mouth guards from an impression of your teeth provide the highest level of comfort, protection and retention.


Benefits of Proper Protection

Investing in a quality mouth guard can safeguard not just your natural teeth but also any existing dental work like crowns or bridges. According to the ADA, studies show mouth guard users have significantly lower rates - up to 90% reduced risk - of orofacial injuries like fractured teeth, root damage, soft tissue lacerations and concussions. Some even suggest they may help mitigate impact forces that contribute to concussions in certain high-velocity sports.


While upfront costs are higher, a custom-fitted mouth guard from your dentist can provide optimal protection and is a worthwhile investment. It prevents costly dental treatments down the line from traumatic injuries. At Maple Dental, we prioritize your oral health and safety, providing custom mouth guards for all your athletic needs in a comfortable, fear-free environment.


 

What is the difference between a bite guard and a mouth guard?


Bite Guards: Nighttime Teeth Protectors

A bite guard, also known as a night guard, is a dental device designed to protect your teeth from the harmful effects of nighttime teeth grinding or clenching, a condition called bruxism. Made from durable yet comfortable materials like acrylic resin or silicone, bite guards act as a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, preventing them from making direct contact during unconscious grinding or clenching movements while you sleep.


The primary purpose of a bite guard is to reduce the symptoms associated with bruxism, such as headaches, jaw pain, and tooth damage caused by the excessive force exerted on your teeth during these nocturnal episodes. By creating a cushion between your teeth, a properly fitted night guard can help alleviate these issues and protect your tooth enamel from excessive wear.


Mouth Guards: Impact Absorbers for Sports

In contrast, a mouth guard is primarily used for protection during athletic activities and sports, particularly those involving a risk of impact or collision. These sturdy devices are designed to cover your teeth and gums, acting as shock absorbers to prevent dental injuries caused by falls, blows to the face, or collisions with other players.


Mouth guards are typically thicker and softer than bite guards, allowing them to effectively dissipate the force of an impact and minimize the risk of tooth fractures, lacerations to the lips and gums, and even mild traumatic brain injuries. The American Dental Association (ADA) strongly recommends wearing a mouth guard for contact sports like football, hockey, and basketball to ensure optimal protection for your teeth and oral structures.


Custom-Fit for Optimal Protection

Both bite guards and mouth guards are custom-made by dentists using precise impressions of your teeth. This ensures a comfortable and secure fit, maximizing their effectiveness in protecting your teeth and jaw. While store-bought options are available, custom-fit guards from your dentist offer superior protection and longevity, making them a worthwhile investment for safeguarding your dental health.


At Maple Dental, we understand the importance of protecting your teeth, whether you're an avid athlete or someone who suffers from nighttime teeth grinding. Our team of experienced dentists can provide you with custom-fit bite guards and mouth guards tailored to your specific needs, ensuring optimal protection and comfort.


 

Mouth Guards vs. Night Guards FAQ


Purpose and Usage

Mouth guards and night guards serve distinct purposes. Mouth guards protect your teeth and jaws from impact during sports and activities, absorbing shock and preventing injuries. Night guards, on the other hand, are designed to reduce teeth grinding (bruxism) and clenching during sleep. They cushion your bite and minimize enamel wear from these unconscious habits.


Materials and Fit

Mouth guards are typically made from durable, shock-absorbing materials like ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). They fit snugly over your upper teeth for maximum protection. Night guards are thinner, more flexible devices often fabricated from soft, comfortable plastics. They conform precisely to your bite for a secure yet relaxed fit.


Customization and Options

Over-the-counter "boil and bite" mouth guards offer basic protection, but custom-fitted versions provide superior comfort and safety. These are made from impressions of your teeth for an exact fit. In contrast, night guards are always custom-made to ensure proper alignment and even pressure distribution.


Care and Maintenance

Both mouth guards and night guards require regular cleaning to prevent bacteria buildup. Simply brush them with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water after each use. Store them in a ventilated case when not in use. Replace any damaged, ill-fitting, or excessively worn guards as needed.


At Maple Dental, we aim to provide comprehensive solutions tailored to your unique needs, whether for sports protection or managing bruxism. Our team is happy to evaluate your situation and recommend the ideal mouth guard or night guard option. Reach out today to safeguard your smile!


 

Conclusion

So now you understand the key differences between mouth guards, night guards, retainers, and sports guards. Knowing which one is right for your needs empowers you to take control of your dental health. Talk to your dentist to get fitted for a custom device that protects your smile. With the proper guard in place each night, you can rest easy knowing your teeth are safe from grinding and clenching. And when you lace up for your next game, slide in a sturdy mouth guard to prevent injury. Taking these simple steps helps ensure your pearly whites will continue shining bright for years to come.


If you have any inquiries about maintaining your oral health, don't hesitate to visit Maple Dental, our trusted dental clinic in Kovan. Your dental care is in the best hands as our experienced dentists will provide you with personalised guidance to ensure that your dental health is at its best.


To find out more about the services Maple Dental Provides, click the link below! https://www.mapledental.sg/services

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