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Occlusal & Sports Guards
Appliances to prevent damage to your teeth.
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Occlusal & Sports Mouth Gaurds
Both sports guards and occlusal guards are meant to protect teeth, but they protect your teeth in different ways. An occlusal guard 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 an occlusal 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 an occlusal guard only needs to cover the occlusal surface of your teeth, a sport mouth guard should cover your teeth including your gums.
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. As for the occlusal guard, the best option is to get a custom fit guard that will effectively protect your teeth from grinding during the night rather than opting for a sports guard.