Intended Wear Time
An athletic mouthguard is usually only worn for an hour or two during games or practices. Nightguards are made to be worn throughout the entire night’s sleep, approximately 8 hours in a row. In certain conditions, bacteria thrive and multiply, such as warm, dark, and moist ones. The make of your mouthguard and how long you intend to wear them is important as you can keep bacterial growth at bay.
Coverage
Most athletic mouthguards are designed to protect the crown of your tooth above the gum line. They also protect the junction and root of the tooth below the gumline. A sports mouth guard covers your teeth and gums and a nightguard may only need to cover the biting surfaces of your teeth.
Thickness
Another size difference is between athletic mouthguards and therapeutic nightguards. That an athletic mouthguard is oftentimes thicker. This is to allow for more coverage of your teeth, ensuring that during a sports game or a workout, your teeth are not susceptible to any dangers.
If you worry about bruxism or have questions associated with mouthguards, please give our office a call. We’re always open to answering any questions you may have and addressing any concerns.