Mouth guards are coverings worn over teeth, and often used to protect teeth from injury from teeth grinding and during sports activities.

There are three types of mouth guards:

1. Stock mouth protectors are inexpensive and come ready to wear. They can be purchased at most sporting good stores including Sports Authority.  Even though they come ready to wear there is little that can be done to adjust their fit. They are bulky, make breathing and talking difficult, and they provide little or no protection.
2. Boil and bite mouth protectors also can be bought at many sporting goods stores and offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. The “boil and bite” mouth guard is made from thermoplastic material. It is placed in hot water to soften, then placed in the mouth and shaped around the teeth using finger and tongue pressure. This will give a little more of a custom type feel.
3. Custom-fitted mouth protectors are individually designed and made in a dental office including at Gentle Dental. Our dentists will first make an impression of your teeth and a mouth guard is then molded over the model using a special material. This type of guard offers the most comfort and protection since it is 100% custom!

Generally in most instances mouth guards cover your upper teeth only. If you wear braces or another fixed dental appliance on your lower jaw, a Gentle Dental dentist will make a mouth guard for the lower teeth as well.  An effective mouth guard should be comfortable, resist tears, be durable and easy to clean. Most importantly it should not restrict your breathing or speech.

If you grind your teeth at night, a special mouth guard-type of dental appliance called a nocturnal bite plate or bite splint  may be created to prevent tooth damage. To learn more about mouth guards and to find out what the best type is for you visit your local Gentle Dental office today or call 1-888-513-7436.