A mouth guard is usually recommended for treatment if you are diagnosed with bruxism, also known as teeth grinding. Which mouthguard option is right for you? Understanding the difference between a sports mouthguard and a night guard will help you make the right choice.
Mouthguards are a standard treatment for individuals who grind or clench their teeth because they support the jaw and stop the teeth from making contact. This device effectively alleviates many pains accompanying teeth grinding, including jaw pain, facial pain, headaches, earaches, and tooth sensitivity. There are two main kinds of mouthguards, including sports and dental guards, and each has several options.
Sports mouth guards vs dental night guards
These two options serve two different purposes. Sports mouthguards protect athletes from sports-related injuries and the teeth, tongue, and cheeks by absorbing shock and distributing stress in contact sports. Dental night guards, on the other hand, prevent teeth from repetitive grinding and are custom-fitted to help position the jaw in a way that relieves muscle tension.
These two kinds of mouthguards also differ in price and material. Dental night guards can cost $600 and are made from durable materials, while sports mouth guards are far more affordable and made of less durable materials.
Sports mouthguards are not meant to be worn as a protective treatment for teeth grinding or TMJ disorder. They tend to be bulkier and more uncomfortable, so they cannot be worn overnight. Many athletes complain about breathing issues, which can be problematic while sleeping. These mouthguards are not custom-fitted or made from durable materials, so they cannot effectively protect the wearer from grinding and clenching. You can wear a sports mouth guard while you wait for your custom-fitted dental guard to be crafted. It can serve as a temporary layer of protection but never as a permanent solution for sleep bruxism because it can alter your bite and may put you at risk for invasive dental work.
Sports Mouth Guard
Sports Mouth Guards protect teeth, tongue, and cheeks from injury in contact sports like football and hockey. They are available in two forms: boil-and-bite and generic. Boil-and-bite guards require you to boil the guard to make it mouldable to your teeth and offer more customization. Generic sports guards do not precisely fit the features of your mouth and can be purchased at the drugstore or any sports store.
Boil-and-bite mouthguards are available in many different shapes and sizes and are usually made from polyvinyl chloride and thermoplastics. The thermoplastic material softens when you boil it, allowing it to press into your teeth. These materials are safe for sports but not recommended to prevent teeth grinding.
The primary purpose of a sports mouthguard is to prevent dental injuries. Athletes are far more likely to experience damage to their teeth when not wearing a protective mouthguard. Sports mouthguards can help prevent impact injury in contact sports, and the materials help distribute force throughout the entire surface of the mouthguard, allowing it to absorb the impact. Athletes are encouraged to wear mouthguards because they effectively protect the teeth from impact injury.
Dental Night Guards
This device is custom-fitted for every patient, and this level of customization provides excellent protection from teeth grinding, jaw clenching, temporomandibular joint disorder, and more. Depending on your case, dentists will recommend the option to get custom mouthguards that are best suited for your teeth grinding.
Dental night guards can be costly and can be purchased directly from the dentist. They are more expensive because they are custom-made from professional materials, and which will depend on the type of mouth guard. Materials may include acrylic, thermoplastic, flexible vinyl and dual laminate materials. This makes custom-fitted mouth guards the most durable option for teeth grinders and provides the best protection from tooth damage and other painful symptoms of bruxism.
A dental mouth guard aims to alleviate pain and protect the teeth and jaw from future damage. They are crafted from an impression of your teeth to achieve the perfect fit, and this guard will relieve your teeth, jaw, facial, and headaches/earaches. Your dental night guard will protect the teeth surfaces from being worn down from constant grinding and clenching. Custom night guards will also position the jaw into a properly aligned position to protect your teeth.
In short, sports mouth guards and dental night guards differ in several aspects, including price and material. The most significant difference, however, is that they serve different purposes. Sports guards absorb shock from injuries sustained in contact sports, while dental night guards protect the teeth and jaw from the painful symptoms of teeth grinding and TMJ. Talk to your dentist to discuss the kind of mouthguard that is suitable for you.
Contact Collingwood Family Dental To Get Help For Your Jaw Health
Do you think you clench or grind your teeth while you sleep? Collingwood Family Dental will assess your bite and teeth to determine if you require a mouth guard. We will then discuss the differences between a sports mouth guard and a dental night guard and the benefits of each.
Our dentists can discuss a dental plan and assess whether or not a dental night guard benefits your smile.
Contact our dental clinic today to schedule your next appointment!