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When it comes to maintaining oral health and ensuring comfort, two dental appliances often come into play: mouth guards and retainers. Wearing a retainer and wearing a night guard both play important roles in dental care. They may look similar but both of these dental devices serve different purposes; which is probably why many people often get confused between them.
A mouth guard is primarily designed for protection against tooth damage or tooth loss, often used by those who grind their teeth during sleep. In contrast, a retainer is meant to maintain the position of teeth after orthodontic treatments, such as braces or Invisalign.
When comparing a night guard vs. a retainer, both night guards and retainers are custom-fit to your mouth for maximum comfort and effectiveness. It's essential to understand how retainers work to maintain your smile, while night guards are crucial in preventing damage to your upper and lower teeth. Let's see how else they differ, shall we?
What is a mouth guard?
A mouth guard is a protective device worn over the teeth to prevent damage of the oral structures. It is a broad term as there are various types of mouth guards available, each serving different purposes.
Types of mouth guards
1) Night Guards
These dental mouth guards are worn to protect your teeth from grinding or clenching while you sleep. Night guards help reduce symptoms of bruxism such as enamel wear, cracked teeth and jaw pain and are therefore made of durable materials.
At Dental Designs, we provide four different types of customised night guards, depending on the level of teeth grinding. Click here to learn more about custom mouth guards for teeth grinding.
2) Sports Mouth Guards
Sports guards are essential for physical activities/sports like football, boxing, basketball and hockey. This type of mouth guard help to provide protection against broken teeth, lip injuries and jaw fractures. They are usually thick and made from Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), which is a material that provides shock absorption so as to minimise the risk of dental injuries from impacts to the mouth. Check out our custom mouth guard for sports!
3) Sleep Apnea Devices
Sleep apnea devices are specialised mouth guards designed to assist individuals suffering from sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. It works by repositioning the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open, thereby reducing the frequency and severity of breathing disturbances during sleep. Click here to find our more about custom mouth guard for sleep apnea.
4) Mouth guards for jaw pain
These mouth guards are dental appliances that help alleviate discomfort caused by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. They are also known as dental splints. They work by redistributing pressure on the jaw joints, therefore promoting relaxation of the jaw muscles and reducing pain. This helps to prevent further dental damage and improve dental health. Here's an article about mouth guards for jaw pain for an in-depth read.
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What is a retainer?
Retainers are designed to keep your teeth in place after orthodontic treatment, helping to hold your upper or lower teeth in their correct positions such as braces or Invisalign. The primary function of an orthodontic retainer is to ensure that the teeth do not shift back to their original positions after the braces are removed or after an alignment treatment.
Types of Retainers
1) Clear Retainers
These removable retainers look similar to clear aligners and are molded from clear plastic. This type of retainer is also known as a plastic retainer as it is nearly invisible and fits snugly over the teeth, offering discreet retention.
2) Hawley Retainers
These are also removable retainers but are made of an acrylic base and a metal wire. This type of retainer is easy to take out when eating or brushing.
3) Fixed Retainers
Also known as permanent retainers, these are glued or fixed to the back of the teeth and provide permanent retention. This dental retainer is commonly used for the lower front teeth to prevent shifting, but may also but used on upper teeth.
Simply put, retainers are oral appliances that provide maintenance and retention of teeth. They help you preserve your beautiful smile after braces or aligners, ensuring that your teeth remain straight and does not return to their original positions after orthodontic treatment. Read more about the different types of retainers here.
Key Differences Between Mouth Guards and Retainers
|
|
Mouth Guard | Retainer |
|---|---|---|
|
Usage |
Worn during sports, physical activities, sleep, grinding teeth at night |
Worn after braces or aligner treatment, mainly at night |
|
Design |
Bulkier, designed for maximum protection |
Lightweight, fits snugly to keep teeth in place |
|
Focus |
Protection of teeth, jaw and surrounding tissues |
Retention of tooth alignment |
|
Types |
They may be purchased over-the-counter or custom-made |
They are all custom-made |
|
Frequency of Use |
As needed during physical activity or at night for constant grinding |
Worn daily or nightly as prescribed by your dentist |
Can a mouth guard and a retainer be used interchangeably?
It’s a common question whether a mouth guard can double as a retainer and vice versa, but the answer is generally no. Although both fit over the teeth, mouth guards are made for maximum protection, while retainers are used for alignment of teeth.
Using a mouth guard as a retainer could be uncomfortable and ineffective as they are made of a harder plastic. If you need both protection and retention, it’s best to have separate devices specifically designed for each purpose. The best solution would be to discuss with a dental professional and get professional advice about your specific condition.
Conclusion
Understanding the differences between a mouth guard and a retainer can help you make the right decision for your oral health needs. Whether you’re looking to protect your teeth from damage or maintain your newly aligned smile, both devices are important tools in dental care to keep teeth healthy.
Ready to book a dental appointment with us? Simply leave us a message here and we will be right with you!
References
- Chaimongkol, P., & Suntornlohanakul, S. (2017). Clear retainer. APOS Trends in Orthodontics, 7(1), 54-54.
- Newsome, P. R. H., Tran, D. C., & Cooke, M. S. (2001). The role of the mouthguard in the prevention of sports‐related dental injuries: a review. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 11(6), 396-404.