Mouth Guards are custom-fitted mouth protectors that are specially designed to prevent tooth grinding, as well as to safeguard the teeth from injury during sports. They are worn over the teeth and are custom fitted in a dental office or laboratory as per a dentist’s instructions. To make a mouth guard, an impression of the patient’s teeth is taken, and the mouth guard is made from molds created from the impressions. Special materials are used to make custom mouth guards, which is why they are much more expensive than generic types that don’t exactly fit your mouth. However, custom made guards provide more comfort and the best protection available as they are specifically made for your needs.
In general, mouth guards only cover the upper teeth, but sometimes, a mouth piece for the lower teeth is also recommended. You can trust your dentist to recommend the best mouth guard to help address your particular problem and help protect your mouth from sports-related injuries. The most effective mouth guards are those that resist tearing, are durable, easy to clean, and most importantly, comfortable. It should not restrict your speech or breathing in anyway. For those who grind their teeth at night, a different type of mouth guard is required which is very effective in preventing tooth damage at night.