What Is a Mouth Guard?
A mouth guard is a protective device worn over the teeth to absorb impact (sports) or prevent grinding damage (night use).
Custom-fitted guards made from dental impressions offer significantly better protection and comfort than chemist versions.
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Sports Guards and Night Guards : What’s the Difference?
Sports Guards
Sports guards protect against impact, a knocked-out or broken tooth, a cut lip, jaw fracture. They’re mandatory in full-contact sports and highly recommended in any sport with collision risk.
Night Guards
Night guards (occlusal splints) protect against the gradual damage caused by bruxism, clenching and grinding during sleep. Left untreated, grinding wears teeth flat, causes jaw pain (TMD), and fractures restorations.
Why Custom Over Chemist-Bought?
Chemist guards are generic. They bulk out and distort over time, fit poorly, and are often abandoned because they’re uncomfortable.
A custom guard is made from impressions of your actual teeth it seats precisely, stays in place, and lasts 3–5 years with proper care.
Frequently asked questions
How is a custom mouth guard made?
How long does a custom mouth guard last?
Can a mouth guard fix jaw pain from grinding?
A night guard prevents further damage from bruxism and often reduces jaw muscle soreness. It does not cure the underlying clenching behaviour that usually has a stress or postural component, but it significantly protects the teeth and restorations in the meantime.
My child plays sport , what age should they start wearing a guard?
From the moment they start playing contact sport, regardless of age. Protecting primary teeth matters; injuries to baby teeth can affect the development of adult teeth beneath them.
Are mouth guards covered by health insurance?
Many extras policies include dental appliances. Check your annual limits and whether a custom guard falls under the appliance or general dental category for your fund.