Mouth guards are protective appliances people wear on their teeth to prevent injuries or damage caused by teeth grinding, sports injuries, or traumas. Mouthguards are useful for both children and adults. Various mouthguards are available, each with its own set of materials, design, and purpose. Here are some common types of mouthguards and how they can protect your teeth:
Sports Mouth Guards
Players wear sports mouthguards to prevent their teeth from injury while playing. During an accident, they also shield the athletes’ gums, cheeks, and tongues. If you participate in contact sports such as boxing, soccer, basketball, hockey, lacrosse, and baseball, ensure you wear a sports mouth guard for your teeth protection. Sports mouthguards come in two types: Custom-fit and over-the-counter mouthguards.
Night Mouth Guards
Night mouth guards are suitable for persons who clench their teeth at night. Bruxism is the habit of grinding or clenching one’s teeth. The condition is normally uncomfortable and unfavorable since it destroys your teeth. Worst of all, there is no treatment for bruxism; the only alternative is to wear a night mouth guard. Night mouth guards come in three types: over-the-counter, custom-made, and hard night guards.
Sleep Apnea or Snoring Mouth Guards
Sleep apnea or snoring mouth guards alleviate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or chronic snoring. Obstructive sleep apnea is a severe disorder where the airways become fully obstructed, causing the person to stop breathing for a short period during sleep. Snoring is induced by the throat tissues’ vibration due to partial airway obstruction when asleep. Snoring and sleep apnea mouth guards assist in repositioning the jaw or tongue to ensure the airways are open while sleeping. They are specially designed and customized by a dentist to fit the individual’s mouth.