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Mouth guards and retainers: are they interchangeable?

Mouth guards and retainers might look similar but serve different purposes. Both are placed in the mouth, and a mouth guard protects teeth from injury, while a retainer prevents a dental relapse. Before you select a dental product for your mouth, it is important to understand its functions. In this blog, we will explore whether mouth guards and retainers are interchangeable.

Understanding mouth guards

Mouth guards are protective dental devices placed in the mouth to avoid injury. These are made of durable thermoplastic materials and act as a cushion and shock absorber to safeguard your smile.

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Purpose of mouth guards

Mouth Guards offer the following purposes when placed in the mouth:

Protection

The main purpose of mouth guards is to protect your smile from injuries. These are mostly worn by athletes while participating in sports activities. It covers your teeth and gums and absorbs any shock placed on your mouth.

Preventing teeth grinding

Nighttime mouth guards, also known as night guards, protect teeth at night. People who grind their teeth are more likely to damage their smiles. To prevent this condition, wearing a night guard acts as a cushion and prevents the jaws from meeting. Hence, it saves your smile from teeth grinding and clenching.

Understanding retainers

Retainers are dental devices mostly used after a teeth-straightening position. Traditional retainers are silicone and metal wire, whereas clear retainers are plastic dental trays. They are used to keep your smile in place.

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Purpose of retainers

Retainers are used for the following purposes:

Prevents dental relapse

A teeth straightening procedure shifts your teeth to the desired position. But your new smile might not stay in the aligned position and experience a dental relapse, shifting to its original position. For this sake, your dentist might ask you to wear retainers to keep your smile in place.

Stabilizing the jaws

Retainers are also responsible for stabilizing the jaws by keeping your smile aligned. This helps you keep your bite in position and improves its functions.

Difference between mouth guards and retainers

The following table will help you understand the difference between mouth guards and retainers:

Features Mouth guards   Retainers
Material Thermoplastic material Thinner material (plastic or wire)
Purpose Protection against injury
Keeps teeth in position
Use Usually worn during sports activities Worn after teeth straightening position

 

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FAQs

Can I use my mouth guard as a retainer?

No! You cannot use a mouth guard as a retainer, as it is only designed to protect your smile from damage.

Is it OK to wear a mouth guard with braces?

Yes! If you have braces on, you can get a customized mouth guard for the protection of your smile.