Types of Mouth Guards

Dr. Mark Grucella, DDS • June 27, 2018

Each Type Offers a Different Level of Comfort and Protection

Athletes at every level who take part in a sport where there is contact are recommended or required to wear mouth guards. This important piece of safety equipment helps prevent damage to teeth, gums, cheeks, tongues, jaws, and other parts of the mouth as well as concussions.

A mouth guard is a thick piece of plastic designed to fit between the upper and bottom teeth that offers stability and protection against impact to the mouth. The mouth guard creates a barrier between the upper and lower teeth preventing them from crashing together during an impact. Studies show that an athlete is more than sixty (60) times more likely to sustain damage to his or her teeth when they are not wearing a mouth guard.

The purpose of a mouth guard is to absorb and distribute energy from a forceful blow to the mouth. For example, if a soccer player who is not wearing a mouth guard gets hit in the mouth by a soccer ball, all the energy is consolidated into a specific area which increases the risk of a mouth injury. If the same ball strikes that same soccer player in the mouth but this time he or she is wearing a mouth guard, the energy is absorbed and distributed throughout the mouth which greatly reduces the probability of a mouth injury.

Types of Mouth Guards

There are three main types of mouth guards. Each type offers a different level of fit, comfort, and protection.

Ready-to-Wear Mouth Guards

Ready-to-wear mouth guards are available in most stores that carry sporting goods. These types of mouth guards come pre-formed and are intended to be used right out of the package.

Ready-to-wear mouth guards are typically the least expensive, but they are also the least effective, offering just basic protection.

Because everyone’s teeth and mouth are not the same size and shape, ready-to-wear mouth guards usually do not fit properly, making it difficult for the mouth guard to stay in place. As a result, these types of mouth guards are prone to cause discomfort, pain, and breathing difficulties.

Boil and Bite Mouth Guards

Boil and bite mouth guards are the most popular type of mouth guards purchased. They can usually be found in any store that carries sporting goods items and equipment.

These types of mouth guards are designed to be placed in boiling water for a period of time until they become soft and pliable. Then, they are placed into the mouth and held there until cooled. The soft plastic forms to the teeth and gums while it cools and hardens, creating a custom fit that should stay in place.

There are many issues that can arise from these types of mouthguards during the boil and bite process. For example, if the mouth guard is bitten down on too hard while it is molding to the shape of teeth, the plastic can become too thin. As a result, the mouth guard may not properly protect teeth or even break upon impact.

Boil and bite mouth guards also usually don’t last very long. Because of the pliable nature, the plastic breaks down quickly.

Custom Mouth Guards

Professional, custom-fit mouth guards are the best option for optimal comfort, protection, and durability. These types of mouth guards are professionally fitted to an individual’s mouth by a dentist and then professionally fabricated in a dental lab.

Because custom mouth guards do not lose their shape, this type of mouth guard provides the best level of comfort and protection. They are also the most durable and if properly cared for, will last a very long time.

In addition to their high-levels of comfort, protection, and durability, custom mouth guards also offer the opportunity for an athlete to add his or her personal touch. Custom mouth guards can be made in a variety of different colors. The name of the athlete, jersey number, school logo, or other types of graphics can also be incorporated into a custom mouth guard making it a work of art unlike any other.

Talk to a Dental Care Professional

It’s always best to talk to a dentist about mouth guard options so you can get the best advice for your specific needs and conditions. If you would like to learn more about our professional, custom-fit mouth guards, please contact us by calling 330-733-7911 or send us a website message at any time.

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Oral Health Awareness is Important Every Month of the Year!

By Dr. Mark Grucella, DDS • July 26, 2023

Oral health plays a significant role in our overall health, both physical and mental. Therefore, it’s beneficial and rewarding to think about oral health every day. There are national awareness months throughout the year that focus attention on different aspects of oral health and the importance of taking care of ourselves with good practices, routines, and professional care. Here are some of the months receiving national recognition for different types of oral health topics:

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Just Like Halloween, There’s Really Nothing To Fear

By Dr. Mark Grucella • October 22, 2022

Halloween can understandably be a scary time of year. Afterall, when October rolls around, we start seeing the emergence of witches, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, vampires, bats, spiders, and everything else that can make the hair on the backs of our necks stand up. But then, October 31 st comes and goes, and we realize, there really wasn’t anything to fear in the first place. It was just our worries, anxieties, or the unknown running wild and getting the better of us. Time and time again, our new patients tell us how dental care can be a lot like Halloween. They have anxiety because of the unknown, or they had an unfavorable experience in the past that resulted in a reluctance to continue to seek care on a regular basis. We are proud to say we were a breath of fresh air for these patients. Once they came to us, they discovered there really wasn’t anything to fear and now look forward to each and every appointment so they can enjoy the many benefits of routine dental care. As we like to say, “Our Dental Care Does Not Scare” and here’s why: Friendly, Fun, Non-Judgmental Style of Care When patients come to one of our three Akron-Canton area dentist offices, they find a welcoming and friendly team of professionals focused only on the comfort, care, and well-being of our patients. We also like to have some fun! In addition to being dedicated dental professionals, we are sports fans who like to support our teams. When there’s a big game, you’ll see each of us wearing our favorite team’s jersey whether it’s the Guardians, Browns, and yes, even the Steelers. Holidays also provide us with great opportunities throughout the year to incorporate some fun by decorating our offices and ourselves with the applicable ornamentation. What’s really special is watching how our patients love to join in on the fun and dress up for the big games and holidays too! Informing and Empowering Our Patients Before we proceed with any type of care, we provide our patients with all the information, explanations, and answers to questions they want. Costs are also shared up-front so approval can be given and there are no surprises. We make sure our patients are always in charge of their individual care. Navigating Dental Insurance Benefits Like any type of insurance, dental benefits can get complicated. What’s covered? What’s not? Am I taking full advantage of all my dental insurance benefits? These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions by our patients. We help you navigate your dental insurance plan and understand all your benefits. No Dental Insurance, No Problem Not everyone has a dental insurance plan and the ability to minimize their out-of-pocket dental care cost. That’s why we created an in-house discount dental plan. It helps our patients who are not covered by dental insurance save on everything from cleanings and fillings to cosmetic procedures and crowns. See Why There’s Nothing To Fear While many people put off dental care because of worries or anxieties, we invite you to give us a try by scheduling an appointment at one of our three Akron-Canton area dental office locations. Please call us at 330-733-7911 or send us a request for an appointment here on our website by visiting this link: REQUEST APPOINTMENT Just like Halloween, we’re confident you are going to see there really is nothing to fear. In fact, you may just find you’ll have some fun!