Mouth Guards - Types and Advantages

Mouth guards are also called mouth protectors. These are flexible devices that cover the teeth and gum to protect the mouth from injury. These are inserted into the mouth to reduce the injury to the teeth, gums and lips.

Ideal characteristics of mouth guard

• It should stay firmly in place during action
• It should provide high degree of comfort
• It should be durable and tear resistant
• It should be odorless and tasteless
• Should be easy to clean

Who can wear mouth guards?

• Candidates who play sports are in the risk of injury to mouth
• Candidates with bruxism - clenching and grinding of teeth

Types of mouth guards

There are four types of mouth guards:

• Stock mouth guard: These are also called ready made mouth guards. These are pre-formed mouth guards available in different sizes and can be ready to wear. These can be bulky and do not fit properly thereby causing difficulty in talking and breathing. These are inexpensive compared to other types of mouth guards.

• Boil and bite mouth guards: Boil and bite mouth guards are made up of thermoplastic material. These are available in all sport shops and medical shops. These should be placed in hot water to soften before applying. Then it is placed in the mouth and shaped around the teeth with fingers to fix it properly. It offers better fit than stock mouth guards.

• Shell liner mouth guards: These mouth guards are coated with acrylic gel or rubber. It can be molded to teeth by shaping with fingers. It is also similar to boil and bite mouth guards.

• Custom-fitted mouth guards: Custom made mouth guards are expensive compared to all other types of mouth guards. Dentist design these mouth guards by taking impressions of your teeth. It provides high degree of comfort, fit and protection. These are designed to cover all the teeth and provide cushion to protect the mouth and chin.

Cleaning and maintenance of mouth guards
Proper cleaning and maintaining of mouth guards helps to prevent infections and gum problems.

• Rinse your mouth guard before and after wearing with tooth brush and tooth paste
• Do not bend your mouth guard
• Before storing soak in mouth wash
• Store your mouth guard in well ventilated plastic box when not in use
• Do not leave in direct sunlight as it may damage your mouth guard

Advantages of mouth guards

• It helps to protect sports person from chipping or fractured teeth
• Acts as safe guard against jaw injuries
• Used to control bruxism
• It also protects from bone damage and tooth loss
• Used as splints to reduce stress on temporomandibular joint
• Used to deliver topical medication in gum diseases