Mouth guards are flexible plastic devices that protect a person’s teeth and mouth from injury during athletics and other activities. In addition, mouth guards are sometimes recommended by a dentist for patients who excessively grind their teeth (bruxism) and to help treat TMJ disorder.

There are three different types of mouth guards:

• Stock mouth guards.  Preformed devices that usually do not fit well. Most experts do not consider them as protective as other types of mouth guards, although they may be the only type available for some patients, such as those who wear braces.
  
  
• Boil-and-bite mouth guards. Made of acrylic gel or thermoplastic materials. The wearer dips the mouth guard into a pot of boiled water before fitting it around the teeth.
  
  
• Custom-fitted mouth guards. Made by a dentist and designed to precisely accommodate an individual’s bite.

In many cases, people wear mouth guards that cover the top teeth only. However, people with braces or other fixed appliances on the lower jaw or people with TMJ disorders may benefit from having a mouth guard that covers the lower teeth as well.

Mouth guards usually need minimal care. They should be washed with soap and warm water and soaked in mouthwash before being stored in a well-ventilated plastic container. Mouth guards should not be left in the sun or in warm places such as a closed automobile.