Brandon Sleep Center Reveals the Difference Between Mouth Guards and Dental Splints

Lamp and light, stone and rock. There are many terms in the English language that are used interchangeably. Sometimes they can mean the same thing, sometimes they don’t. Such is the case with mouth guards and dental splints.

Many people often use the term ‘mouth guard’ in lieu of the ‘dental splint,’ and vice versa. There are even brandon sleep center doctor who are guilty of this. Although there’s really nothing wrong that, there’s actually a clear distinction between the two. Let the information below enlighten you:

Mouth guards

Mouth guards are dental devices designed to protect the mouth from impact. These are the dental devices you see athletes wear during games. Mouth guards can be purchased over the counter, so there’s no need to visit a dentist for them. However, if there’s any reason that you need a custom-fit guard, that would be the time to approach a dentist so he can take an impression of your mouth and send it to a laboratory to have your mouth guard fabricated.

Dental splints

Dental splints are designed to protect the teeth from damage caused by grinding or bruxism. They are highly personalized, and as such, you can only obtain them from a dentist. Once your dentist diagnoses that you need a dental splint, he or she will take an impression of your mouth, which he or she then sends to a dental laboratory for processing. Dental splints are often worn at night while sleeping to prevent the teeth from grinding. They can also be used to treat temporomandibular joint dysfunction or TMD.

Dental follow up?

Another key difference between a mouth guard and a dental splint is the dental follow up. Dental splints require it, but mouth guards don’t. As long as your mouth guard does its job of protecting your teeth during your physical activities, then there’s no need for a dentist to check them. However, dentists are sure to recommend dental splint patients to attend follow up appointments to check if the device still fits appropriately or if adjustments need to be made.

You can purchase a mouth guard from a sporting goods store or a large retailer near you. Visit a Brandon sleep center for diagnosis if you feel you need to wear a dental splint for an oral condition. To learn more about bruxism and TMJ, please visit WebMD.com.

Sources:

7 Easy Fixes for Snoring, WebMD.com

Mouth Guards/Bite Splints, HopkinsMedicine.org

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