Mouth guards are a device used to protect your teeth from damage by grinding, clenching, or blunt force trauma. Many people use them for sports such as hockey and football, while others use them while they sleep.
Mouth guards are made differently depending on their purposes. Here’s a guide on the difference between a sports and sleep mouth guard.
What Is the Difference?
The difference between sleep and sports mouth guards is what they’re meant to do. Sport mouth guards are meant to protect the teeth from impact or harm. So, the mouth guard is typically bulkier and meant to withstand high impact.
Sleep mouth guards prevent tooth damage caused by teeth grinding while sleeping. These are typically lighter and are equipped for long-term usage. Sports mouth guards can be a haven for bacteria and plaque build-up and aren’t equipped to deal with saliva, so you don’t want to wear them at night.
Why Would You Wear a Mouth Guard?
If you play high-impact sports, there’s a possibility that you have to wear a mouth guard. This will help your teeth stay undamaged in case of a collision.
But some people need mouth guards while sleeping at night because they suffer from Bruxism. This condition is where you clench, grind, or gnash your teeth. Some people have them while they’re sleeping or when they are stressed.
Some damages that can result from Bruxism include:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- TMJ Pain
These conditions can harm your oral health and lead to other problems. Some ways to help alleviate Bruxism can include:
- Yoga or exercise helps release excess energy
- Gratitude and a happy attitude to clear the mind
- Warm bath with lavender or Epsom salt to ease your body
- Brush and floss for freshness and fight tooth decay while you sleep
