---
title: "What Is Mouth guard? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "A mouth guard is a soft device worn over the teeth to cushion blows during sports or to protect teeth from grinding at night."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/mouth-guard
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Orthodontics

# Mouth guard

A mouth guard is a soft device worn over the teeth to cushion blows during sports or to protect teeth from grinding at night.

Mouth guards are also called mouth protectors. The ADA says mouthguards help cushion a blow to the face, which lowers the risk of broken teeth and of injuries to the lips, tongue, face, or jaw. Most cover the upper teeth. There are three kinds. Stock guards come ready-made, boil-and-bite guards soften in hot water and mold to your teeth, and custom guards are made by a dentist from an impression. A [sports guard](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/sports-guard) is worn for play, and a [night guard](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/night-guard) is worn for sleep. They are not the same, so use the right one. Clean it and keep it in a case. See our [custom mouth guard](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/custom-mouth-guard) page.

[Town Center Dental can helpMouth Guard](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/custom-mouth-guard)

## Related terms

-   [Sports guard](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/sports-guard)
-   [Night guard](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/night-guard)
-   [Occlusal splint](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/occlusal-splint)
-   [Bruxism (teeth grinding)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/bruxism-teeth-grinding)
-   [Dental trauma](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-trauma)

## Sources

1.  [ADA MouthHealthy: Mouthguards](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/mouthguards)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)