Sport Mouth Guard vs Dental Night Guard

sport mouth guard vs dental night guard
Many people may be wondering: what's the difference between a sport mouth guard and a dental night guard?  Can I use a sport mouth guard for teeth grinding?  This article answers that question.

When a patient is diagnosed with bruxism, a teeth grinding problem, a few remedies may be suggested to resolve the issue.  The most popular of which is a night guard.  Not exactly a treatment, the mouthguard or night guard does not really stop the habit of teeth clenching and grinding, but it helps the patient prevent possible damage to his teeth. The sleep mouth guard is an oral appliance that the patient wears during sleep so that it can absorb all the grinding and clenching forces. This custom-made dental night guard that the dentist prescribes is different from the sports mouthguard.  First of all they are made of different materials; but they are also meant to serve a different purpose in the mouth.

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Sports Mouth Guard vs. Dental Night Guard: Scrutinizing the Material

A night guard is meant to protect the teeth from clenching and grinding during sleep. It is worn every night or every time the person sleeps, so it is fabricated using a material that is not as thick but strong enough to serve its function. A sport mouth guard is an appliance that is prescribed to an athlete to protect his teeth from being damaged from a physical blow to the face or an accident. A sport mouthguard is usually made with a thicker material and given its purpose, it is made to extend to cover the entire jaw, even the gum issue so that the entire mouth can be protected.

When an athlete has his mouth guards made, he can make a decision to incorporate his team colors with the appliance or even the team logo or sign. Sports guards may be fabricated so that it is part of the team uniform. There are different dyes that may be added to the acrylic material, so that some color may be incorporated.

Sports Mouth Guard vs. Dental Night Guard: Understanding the Function

Both a night guard and a sports guards are meant to protect teeth, but they protect your teeth in different ways.  A nightguard functions by protecting the teeth surfaces from being worn down from constant grinding and clenching.  A sport mouth guard is primarily worn to protect the teeth and mouth in case of sudden, hard impact.  As a result, while a night guard may be made from durable hard acrylic plastic to withstand grinding over a long period of time, a sport mouthguard is usually made from a softer material that can absorb the force of sudden impact.  And while a dental night guard only needs to cover the occlusal surface of your teeth, a sport mouth guard should cover your teeth including your gums.

Choosing the Right Mouth Guard

The sport mouth guards that are commercially sold and made available in sports stores are different from the custom-made appliances offered by your dentist.  They’re not only uncomfortable to wear but also not as effective.  While a sport mouth guard may offer some protection in the case of teeth grinding, it is not the idea solution: both the material and the shape are different to serve a different purpose.

It is safe to say that while you can decide to wear a sports guard instead of a professional night mouth guard that your dentist prescribes to gain some protection against teeth grinding, it is a compromised choice.  For the best solution to teeth grinding, you should look for a professionally made, custom dental night guard. offers professionally made, custom dental night guards directly from a professional dental lab in California.  Get the same dentist quality night guard without paying $400 or more.

Find Out How Ordering a Night Guard Online Works