Dental guards are devices that help you reduce the effects of bruxism on your jaw and teeth. These are primarily covers for your teeth that absorb the pressure from the grinding and jaw clenching and allow your jaw to relax. By extension, custom dental guards also help prevent enamel damage, chipped tooth, or sensitive teeth. However, when picking a mouthguard, you’ll have to determine whether it’s safe or not. Here’s a detailed guide to help you out.
Materials That Are Good
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)
A soft and durable material, EVA is commonly used in the manufacture of soft dental guards. That’s because it has a soft rubber-like texture that is comfortable to wear, offers a good shock response, and is also flexible. EVA dental guards also offer high comfort levels and allow you to sleep peacefully.
Copolyester
Copolyester is a thermoplastic that’s easily molded and reshaped. They are widely used in healthcare products, including dental guards. For heavy grinders, copolyester dental guards are ideal for absorbing pressure and offering comfort. Unlike acrylic, copolyester dental guards aren’t as still and don’t cause any discomfort.
Methyl Methacrylate
Commonly known as acrylic, methyl methacrylate is commonly used in the manufacture of hard dental guards. The material is stiff and offers high protection to your teeth. It can also stand vigorous teeth grinding without breaking. This material is non-carcinogenic and safe to use in consumer goods.
Materials You Need To Avoid
Phthalates
Phthalates aren’t as well researched, but this compound in animals does lead to health issues. So it’s better to avoid it than deal with any harmful side effects. Some over-the-counter night guards might contain traces of phthalates, but since the mouthguards go into your mouth, the danger significantly increases. So only purchase phthalate-free dental guards.
BPA
BPA, or Bisphenol A, is a compound typically used in polycarbonates, such as water bottles and plastic containers. However, this material is linked to several health issues like heart disease, diabetes, hormonal changes, and cognitive disorders.
BPA isn’t commonly found in dental products but can be present in other processes that can leave traces of BPA in the dental guard. So make sure you check the label and packaging of your dental guards and ensure it says ‘BPA-free.’
Latex
Some people can get allergic reactions from latex, and while most dental guards are latex-free, some might use them in the molding process. If you don’t check it, you could end up with allergies on the inside of your mouth. This allergic reaction is hard to treat and can flare up your bruxism since you’ll end up with more stress.
Why Dental Guard Material Is Important
Your dental guard will be in your mouth for the most part, and toxic chemicals leave residues that can be harmful to your teeth and your overall health. You’ll also be wearing the guard for hours at a time, so you must check what materials were used in making your dental guard to avoid any hazardous residue inside your mouth and in your stomach.
Which Dental Guard Is Better?
Over-The-Counter (OTC) Dental Guards
Over-the-counter guards are good if you want a cheap and immediate solution. But keep in mind that OTC dental guards are made from generic dental molds and don’t offer a custom fit. So while they may be a good option in the short run, they’ll make things worse in the long run.
Custom Dental Guards
Custom dental guards are much better than over-the-counter ones. One, because they fit your dental profile and don’t make you uncomfortable, and second, they don’t lead to gum swelling and bleeding due to a poor fit. Additionally, custom dental guards are made from better and more durable materials, so you’ll get your money’s worth.
How To Pick A Dental Guard?
Check The Comfort Levels
If your dental guard isn’t comfortable, it won’t help you sleep better. And if you don’t sleep well, your bruxism will only increase instead of decrease. While there are ways to train yourself to use a dental guard, you still need to be careful which one you pick.
For mild bruxism, a soft guard will do, but for severe bruxism, you’ll need a stiffer one. But these stiffer ones are a bit uncomfortable to wear and take time to get used to.
Level Of Bruxism
While comfort is important, you must also figure out whether your dental guard will solve the problem. If you get a soft dental guard but you struggle with severe bruxism, you’ll only get minimal comfort.
On the other hand, if you go overboard and get an ultra-hard dental guard for mild teeth grinding, you’ll have to deal with wearing a stiffer dental guard when you don’t need one.
Durability
Durability is another important factor when picking a dental guard. If you’re investing money in your dental guard, you’d want it to last long. But durability for mouthguards isn’t the same across the board.
For example, if you’re going for a soft dental guard, chances are it might not last as long as a hard one. On the other hand, a soft dental guard is much more comfortable than a hard one. So it all comes down to what you prefer in terms of comfort, durability, and results.
Clear Comfort Night Guard Offers Custom Dental Guards To Its Clients
Employing night guards is a convenient and cost-effective strategy to lessen your bruxism during the day. Clear Comfort Night Guards is a Los Angeles-based professional dental lab that makes custom mouthguards for its clients. Our night guards are created in our labs by trained technicians and shipped directly to your home.
Our dental guards are available in a variety of options, including soft dental guards, hard dental guards, and ultra-hard ones. Not only that, but we also sell sports mouthguards for athletes to prevent dental injuries.
Clear Comfort Dental Guards eliminate the need for a dentist appointment. Simply visit our website, select your dental guard, and place your order. We also provide fast shipping, a money-back guarantee, and exceptional customer service.
About The Author
The author is a dental guard manufacturer that has been in business for the past decade. He helps companies source the right materials to create custom dental guards. He also runs a blog to educate people on their oral health. Currently, he’s working on starting his own dental lab in Florida to help people find quality dental care items.
