Which Mouth Guard Should I Go For? Store Bought or Custom?

Your teeth and smile are one of your biggest assets. Think about what it would be like if you lost a tooth or two of your front teeth. Not only would it affect your appearance but also the functional aspects of speaking and eating. The chances of dental injury are more likely if you are physically active or play sports. 

Mouth guards could be the solution for you. But mouth guards are not just for protecting your teeth while playing sports. We use it as a treatment option for other dental problems, which we will discuss further in this article. 

What Are Mouth Guards And When Do I Need It?

Mouth guards are dental devices that act like mouth protectors for your teeth, gums, tongue, lips, and cheek from trauma. They create a barrier between your upper and lower teeth and help cushion any blows to your face, minimize the risk of broken teeth and jaw injuries, and remove the pain and tension in your jaw muscles. A mouthguard is also referred to as a dental guard, an occlusal guard, bite splint, and nocturnal bite plate.

Mouth guards are used mainly to prevent teeth damage due to sports, teeth grinding or jaw clenching which is a part of bruxism, a sleep-related movement disorder, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ), and relieve symptoms such as chronic headache. 

When teeth grinding is not in control, it leads to enamel erosion, causing over-sensitivity to hot and cold foods, and increased susceptibility to decay. This can lead to infections and chronic teeth conditions. It can also cause damage to weak teeth, causing cracks, fractures, pain, and worn-out fillings.

The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw and the skull. It affects the muscles used to chew food. When you have a jaw clenching problem in your sleep, there is extra pressure in the temporomandibular joint area, causing misalignment and TMJ disorder. The TMJ disorder causes difficulty in chewing, ear pain, and headaches. When uncontrolled, it can lead to irreparable damage in your articular disk causing displacement, and unexpected locking open and closing of your jaw. A mouthguard can prevent the further development of the disorder. 

What Are The Types Of Mouthguards? 

There are three different kinds of mouthguards that might look similar but serve different functions. 

1. Stock Mouthguards

These are widely available in most drugstores and sporting goods stores. They are also inexpensive. However, there are downsides such as their standardized shapes and sizes which are normally small, medium, and large. Stock guards don’t give you a close fit and high-level protection. They are also bulky, making them uncomfortable to wear, and hard to breathe and speak. They mostly cover only your top teeth.

2. Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guards

Like the stock mouth guards, boil-and-bite mouthguards are commonly available in most drugstores and are inexpensive. They come in one size so that you can shape them at home to fit your teeth. These are named after the technique to mold them. Made from thermoplastic material, you need to soften the mouth guard by placing it in hot water, and then putting the softened mouth guard into your mouth, and pressing them onto the contours of your teeth before biting down for a few seconds. Then you remove the material and place it in cool water before repeating the process until you get the best fit. 

3. Custom-Fitted Mouth Guards 

Your dentist will use a mold or an impression of your teeth to make a custom-fitted mouth guard that fits your teeth and caters to your specific needs or conditions. This is a relatively expensive option, but it guarantees the highest quality, efficiency, functionality, and durability. Because it’s custom made, it fits well and is comfortable to wear. 

Which Is The Best Mouth Guard For Me?

Finding the best mouth guard depends on a few factors. 

The first consideration is your oral condition. If you play sport occasionally and want to protect your teeth from injury, then a stock guard which covers the top mouth can be a good option. Your top teeth take the maximum brunt of a sports-related injury and a stock guard protects the soft tissues of your lips, tongue, and inner cheeks. If you play high-impact sports, then the boil-and-bite guards can be a better option for you as it offers a better fit and comfort. 

If the reason is teeth grinding, jaw clenching, or sleep apnea, a custom-made mouth guard is your best bet as it provides the best fit, maximum comfort, and efficiency. The second consideration is to understand that there are long-term implications of using the wrong type of mouthguard for your condition. Mouth guards differ in material and physical form. They usually make generic guards with soft material but have a poor physical form. 

While the stock mouthguards might be inexpensive and have soft material, if you use them for serious conditions like bruxism and sleep apnea, it can make them worse. The soft material used in stock guards is an issue because it encourages clenching and grinding in the long term. It acts similarly to a resistance band, and long-term users of these guards experience more muscle soreness and sometimes temporal headaches. Stock guards are meant for temporary use. 

Boil-and-bite mouthguards have a poor physical form. These guards are molded when you heat to soften the material and then bite into it. The positive aspect is that the guard will fit you well. On the flip side is that the guard does not allow your jaw to articulate (move) at night. The jaw being stuck in place is harmful and also stimulates the muscle to move more.

Custom-made guards made in the labs under the supervision of your dentist are made of tough material and have an ideal physical form. These guards last for a minimum of 5-10 years unless you are a 10/10 heavy clencher. Then you may need to have them replaced every 2-3 years. We make these guards with acrylic and only line with a film of soft material. The thin lining is just to assist with the fit. The acrylic shell is what deflects the force. You typically want a guard to deflect the force, similar to an ice skater gliding across the rink. (With the store-bought guard, you will be more like a jackhammer on the surface of the ice.)

We can’t stop you from subconsciously clenching and grinding, but deflecting the force is the next best thing. Regarding the physical form, instead of biting into the guard, we scan and create a digital impression for this guard. We map not only the upper teeth but also the lower teeth and fabricate a guard that takes into consideration each pressure point of each individual tooth. This balance helps us truly deflect force and minimize the negative consequences of clenching and grinding. Another advantage of custom-made mouthguards is that you can safely wear them with braces, implants, and bridges. 

While the cost of custom-made guards can be daunting, it is usually a one-time investment that will save you from potentially much bigger issues in the future. For example, a close college friend of mine had a bite where only the back 4 teeth touch. He had already gotten crowns for 3/4 of those teeth. 10 years ago, each crown was 1200 dollars and those prices have definitely climbed since then. Also, check with your dental health insurer if they cover part or all of the cost for custom-fitted mouth guards. 

While there are different mouth guards, their function remains mainly to protect your face and mouth from damage. The better the fit of the mouth guard, the better the protection and comfort for you. If you’re opting for generic mouthguards, look for the ones that have the Seal of Acceptance from the American Dental Association (ADA). 

Always Consult Your Dentist First

Whether you’re into sports or have a dental or medical disorder, a mouth guard can be a great treatment option for you. Always talk to your best Palo Alto dentist first before understanding the underlying issues and the right mouth guard for you.