All About Mouthguards and Lip Guards
Here’s how mouthguards protect your teeth, lips, and other parts of your mouth:
- The shock-absorbing mouthguard material softens blows to the face
- It creates a barrier between the teeth, lips, and other soft tissue reducing the chance of cuts inside your mouth
- For brace-wearers, the mouthguard protects your mouth from oral cuts from the braces and protects braces from damage
There are three different types of mouthguards:
Stock mouthguard. It features a lip guard in the front. This mouthguard is the least expensive option. You can buy it right off the shelf. Most people find it uncomfortable and inconvenient because you have to keep your mouth closed for it to work. It does have a lip guard on the front, which covers the upper and lower lips when you bite down. Because of the way this is worn, it is hard to talk while wearing it. This type of mouthguard is sometimes referred to as a pacifier mouthpiece because of the way it goes into your mouth. Football players often wear this style of mouthguard.
Boil and bite mouth guards. These are a little more expensive than stock mouthguards. You can customize it to fit your bite by soaking it in hot water, but the fit will not be perfect.
Custom-fit mouth guards. These are the most expensive, but they provide the best fit. They're created in your dental professional’s office. Custom-fit mouth guards typically do not have an additional lip guard. They are designed to fit securely over the teeth, providing the most significant cushioning and protection.