A mouth guard is a protective device for the mouth that covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce injury to the teeth, arches, lips and gums. A mouth guard is most often used to prevent injury in contact sports, as a treatment for bruxism or TMD, or as part of certain dental procedures, such as tooth bleaching or sleep apnea.

Depending on application, it may also be called a mouth protector, mouth piece, gum shield, gum guard, night guard, occlusal splint, bite splint, or bite plane.

Mouth guard (also called bite splints, bite planes, or night guards) are removable dental appliances carefully molded to fit the upper or lower arches of teeth. They are used to protect tooth and restoration surfaces, manage mandibular (jaw) dysfunction TMD, and stabilize the jaw joints during occlusion or create space prior to restoration procedures. People prone to nocturnal bruxism, or nighttime clenching, as well as morsicatio buccarum may routinely wear occlusal splints at night. However, a meta-analysis of occlusal splints used for this purpose concluded “There is not enough evidence to state that the mouth guard is effective for treating sleep bruxism. An indication of its use is questionable concerning sleep outcomes, but there may be some benefit with regard to tooth wear.”

Mouth Guard are typically made of a heat-cured acrylic resin. Soft acrylic or light cured composite, or vinyl splints may be made more quickly and cheaply, but are not as durable, and are more commonly made for short-term use. Soft splints are also used for children because normal growth changes the fit of hard splints. They cover all the teeth of the upper or lower arch, but partial coverage is sometimes used. Occlusal splints are usually used on either the upper or the lower teeth, termed maxillary splints or mandibular splints respectively, but sometimes both types are used at the same time. Maxillary splints are more common, although various situations favor mandibular splints.

Stabilizing or Michigan-type occlusal splints are generally flat against the opposing teeth, and help jaw muscle relaxation, while repositioning occlusal splints are used to reposition the jaw to improve occlusion.

The types of mouth guard are :

1.      Stock or ready made

Manufactured in a pre-formed shape in various sizes but with nearly no adjustment to fit the user’s mouth. The only adjustment possible is minor trimming with a knife or scissors.

2. Mouth adapted or “boil and bite”

A thermoplastic material manufactured in a pre-formed shape in various sizes that can be adapted to fit more closely to an individual’s teeth and gums by heating and molding such as boiling then placing in the mouth. Some are now available that incorporate special fins within the fitting zones which increase retention and give an improved fit over traditional boil and bite mouth types. Guards are usually made of Ethylene-vinyl acetate, commonly known as EVA. Some of the newer technologies offer an alternative, stronger thermo-polymer that allows for lower molding temperatures, below 140F to prevent burning by scalding hot water. This is the most popular mouthguard used by amateur and semi-professional sportsmen, providing adequate protection but relatively low comfort in comparison to the custom-made guard.

3. Custom Made Guard

An impression of the user’s teeth is used by specialist manufacturers to create a best-fit mouth protector. The impression may be obtained by using a specially designed impression kit that uses dental putty, or from a dentist who will take an impression in dental alginate material. One company(GuardLab) is using 3D imaging to create a digital impression. The resulting impression is sent to a lab that makes a guard from the impression. In the EU, the guard must be sold with a CE mark and the guard must have passed an EC Type-Examination test, performed by an accredited European Notified Body. Applying a CE mark without such certification is a criminal offense.

• Vacuum Form
  • Custom-made mouth guards using this type of machine produce single layer mouth guards
  • Fit not as good as pressure laminated but offers more protection than boil and bite
• Pressure Laminated
  • Custom-made mouth guards using this type of machine produce multi-layer mouth guards
  • Offers superior fit, comfort and more protection
• Impressionless
  • Made from a medical-grade thermo polymer, the guards are activated with hot (not boiling water) and create a custom comfort fit, completely unique to the shape of the mouth.
  • 1.6 mm thin, Remoldable, Works with braces, Stays secure in mouth during the entire game or practice
  • Allows athletes to talk, breathe and drink naturally

The origin of the mouth guard may very well be lost to history, but what is known is that boxing is likely the home of this creation. It’s worth noting that doesn’t narrow things down very much, as pugilism has been a popular sport for hundreds or even thousands of years.

Throughout the years everything from resin and tape to wood and leather have been used to help protect these fighters teeth. It was in 1892 that one Woolf Krause, a dentist from Britain, invented a mouth guard made from gutta-percha, a natural resin. The only issue with this mouth guard is that it had to be reapplied every fight and was not reusable.

Krause’s son, Phillip, took his father’s invention a step further and created a reusable version that would become the standard in designs for decades. Mouth guards have been a standard piece of sports equipment ever since those days, and remain one of the most critical parts of any sports-person’s kit. As the technology advanced, they found more and more uses for this technology, including their serving to help those with a tendency to grind their teeth from damaging their teeth in their sleep.

Let’s take a look at three reasons why your custom mouth guard is something to celebrate during the holidays:

1. Decorations That Speak To You

When decorating for the holidays, are you content with placing just any generic ornament on your tree or just any decoration around your house? Of course not!

Your ornaments represent you and the things that you find important — and so should your mouthguard! Have a favorite color, pattern, number or logo? It’s possible to feature any or all of them on your custom mouthguard.

Like ornaments, generically-made boil-and-bite mouthguards come in a variety of different colors. Unlike ornaments, generically-made boil-and-bite mouthguards don’t allow for any further personalization. Only custom mouthguards give you the ability to display your personal identity on your team gear.

And just like the tradition of waiting to put your lucky ornament on your tree last, your custom mouthguard instantly becomes that last piece of decoration before you leave the locker room and head out to the field, court or ice.

2. Comfy, Cozy

One of the best things about the holidays is hanging out at home in comfy clothes, on comfortable couches, with the people your most relaxed with. Comfort is king around the holidays … but also on game day.

When a mouthguard doesn’t fit properly, it is simply uncomfortable. That’s why so many athletes dislike wearing mouthguards. Like an annoying tag on an ugly holiday sweater, uncomfortable mouthguards are distracting and constantly need to be readjusted, which may take your head out of the game.

Boil-and-bite mouthguards are made to fit everyone, not just you. But every mouth is different, and your mouthguard needs to fit the exact structure of your mouth in order for you to get the proper protection and comfort. That’s why custom mouthguards aren’t just the most protective mouthguards, but the most comfortable as well.

Just like the feeling you get from a mug of hot cocoa on a holiday morning.

3. No Cookie Cutter Designs

Cookie cutter designs are great for holiday cookies — from Christmas trees to Hanukah menorahs — but they’re terrible for mouthguards. Again, that’s because everyone’s mouth is different and the cookie cutter design of boil-and-bites doesn’t serve all athletes.

Similar to your fingerprints, your mouth is unique to you, and that means it’s essential you get a mouthguard that’s been designed taking into account your exact individual mouth structure. A proper fitting mouthguard must have a tight enough fit to firmly stay on your upper teeth without being held in place with the lower jaw. That means no biting or clenching.

When a mouthguard fits snuggly, it stays in place during any impact and won’t become dislodged. It should never be able to come loose and float around your mouth, and you should only be able to remove your mouthguard by pulling it out with your fingers.

With a patented cut design, custom mouthguards help you breath and communicate clearly, which actually enhances your performance. Too bad you can’t say the same thing about those holiday cookies.

If you still want to learn more about mouth guard during your visit in Bali, you can go and contact Hydro Medical Bali. Our professional dentistry will provide you the information that you needed also dental care with the handle of professional hand. Provide you with a good service of dental care and make you as comfortable as possible for your dental needs