Table of contents
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Why Wear Top Instead Of Full Mouth Guards?
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Pros
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Protection
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Breathing
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Easier to Communicate with Custom Top Mouth Guards
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Natural Jaw Movement Flexibility
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Less Expensive Than Full Mouth Guards
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Lightweight and Less Bulky
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Easier to Wear and Remove
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Cons
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Why Top Mouth Guards Are Still a Better Option
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How To Choose the Right Top Mouth Guard
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Maintaining Your Mouth Guard
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Conclusion
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FAQs
Professional fighters are expected to be at the top of their game at all times, which is why a lot of them opt for mouth guards. And while mouth guards are considered a crucial dental appliance, many fighters opt for top mouth guards rather than full mouth guards. But why is it so? In today’s blog, we’ll explore exactly why fighters only wear top mouth guards along with the pros and cons when wearing a top mouth guard. Let’s dive in!
Why Wear Top Instead Of Full Mouth Guards?
When it comes to wearing a mouth guard, fighters and the general public have a few options related to the teeth arches they want to cover. Primarily, mouth guards are based on arches in the following ways:
- Top Mouth Guard (Upper Arch)
- Bottom Mouth Guard (Lower Arch)
- Full Mouth Guard (Dual Arch)
Now, a common consensus among the masses would be to wear a full mouth guard rather than a single-arch mouth guard, and in this case, a top mouth guard. But the reason why fighters only wear top mouth guards is due to their added benefits. These include easy jaw movement, better breathability, and much more which will be discussed shortly.
Furthermore, to better understand why top mouth guards are preferred by fighters, we’ll also be looking at their cons. This will help us ensure whether the pros manage to justify the cons or not.
Pros
Protection
Designed for the upper arch of the teeth, top mouth guards provide focused protection and make sure to cover the most vulnerable parts of the upper teeth.
Breathing
Due to these being a single-arch mouth guard, fighters are able to breathe more easily as there is more space for the teeth and the lower jaw to move.
Furthermore, a top mouth guard is less bulky compared to a full mouth guard and offers fewer obstructions to the throat and the back of the mouth. All this makes breathing a better experience, especially in high-paced environments for a fighter.
Easier to Communicate with Custom Top Mouth Guards
It’s not hard to imagine that communicating would be a bit difficult when wearing a full mouth guard. This is due to its sheer bulkiness that causes it to be an obstacle when trying to speak.
However, the case for wearing a top mouth guard while speaking is relatively the same as discussed before in the breathing section. The top mouth guard allows more room for the tongue to move around along with better lip movement. This is also a reason why fighters only wear top mouth guards.
Natural Jaw Movement Flexibility
Another reason why fighters only wear top mouth guards is the ability of the jaw to move in a more relaxed manner when compared to a full mouth guard.
To be more specific, most of the impact is evenly distributed on the upper jaw while the lower jaw is left to relax, which helps reduce excessive tension on the jaw as a whole.
Less Expensive Than Full Mouth Guards
While this one’s a bit obvious, it’s still an important factor to keep in mind that a top mouth guard is generally less expensive than a full mouth guard due to having less material and less manufacturing cost involved.
Lightweight and Less Bulky
Being a single-arch design, top mouth guards are less bulky and lighter than full mouth guards, which makes them a comfortable dental appliance. This in turn also leads to fighters being able to focus more on their game rather than the mouth guard itself.
Easier to Wear and Remove
The simple and lightweight design of a top mouth guard enables fighters to easily wear and remove them.
Cons
Less Protection
While a top mouth guard offers more protection to the upper teeth arch, this also leaves the lower arch vulnerable and prone to getting damaged. In such instances, fighters are also at a higher risk of getting dental injuries on their lower teeth arch.
Incomplete Jaw Impact Absorption
Since the top mouth guard only protects the upper teeth, the force of the impact also gets distributed on the upper jaw and not the lower jaw. This in turn exposes the lower jaw to more damage in case of shock absorption.
Concern Over The Lower Arch
Wearing a top mouth guard also has a psychological effect on the fighter’s mindset as they might get anxious about their lower jaw being vulnerable during their fights.
Why Top Mouth Guards Are Still a Better Option
While wearing a top mouth guard isn’t perfect, it can still have a strategic benefit over a full mouth guard. One reason for this is that the biomechanics of fighting involve the upper teeth being more at risk rather than the lower teeth. This, combined with the pros discussed above makes the top mouth guard seem like an all-round better choice than a full mouth guard.
Even after all this, the challenge of choosing the best top mouth guard still remains, which is where ALIGNERCO jumps in.
How To Choose the Right Top Mouth Guard
Choosing a top mouth guard can be a difficult choice to make. But there are some things that should be kept in mind when choosing the ideal top mouth guard for you.
- Build Quality and Material
- Comfort
- Protection
- Cost-Effectiveness
- Durability
- Custom-Fit
Finding all these in a single top mouth guard may be a difficult choice to make, but ALIGNERCO makes it much easier with its custom mouth guards.
ALIGNERCO Custom Mouth Guard
At ALIGNERCO, we prioritize your dental safety and offer mouth guards that excel in quality, comfort, and treatment. Moreover, ALIGNERCO provides both dual-arch and single-arch mouth guards to help you choose the perfect option for yourself. Additionally, here are some key features you should consider before buying a custom mouth guard.
- 4mm Thickness: Optimal thickness for protection and comfort.
- Custom Fit: Made from BPA-free plastic and tailored to your teeth.
- Impact-Resistant: Designed to withstand high-impact sports
- Storage Case: Comes with a protective case for enhanced durability.
Maintaining Your Mouth Guard
So you’ve ordered your ALIGNERCO Custom Mouth Guard and are ecstatic with the results. But as time passes, you may notice some dip in the effectiveness of the top mouth guard. If so, then the reason for this is probably the fact that the top mouth guard now requires cleaning and maintenance.
And as a fighter, you can’t spend all your time scouring the internet for ways to effectively clean your top mouth guard, we’ve got the best tips on how to clean your mouth guards effectively.
Rinse After Each Use
A simple yet effective tip to maintain your top mouth guard is to rinse it after each use with water. If available, you can even use soap to clean off the debris and saliva more thoroughly from the mouth guard.
Use a Mouth Guard Cleaner
Instead of going for DIY top mouth guard cleaning methods, why not go for a professional mouth guard cleaner? ALIGNERCO offers a specialized cleaner that ensures your top mouth guard remains free from any germs or plaque buildup.
Store In a Case
Keeping your mouth guard in a case is a great way to ensure it stays safe while offering effective results. Lucky for all the fighters who opt for top mouth guards, ALIGNERCO offers a storage case along with the mouth guard to ensure your dental appliance stays in perfect condition.
Regular Disinfection
Another way of making sure your top mouth guard stays clean and fresh is disinfecting it on a regular basis. To effectively disinfect your top mouth guard, first rinse it with water and a non-abrasive soap. Once done, gently scrub your mouth guard with a soft toothbrush and soak it in a disinfectant such as a mouthwash for 5 to 10 minutes.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, while it depends on your personal preference as to which mouth guard you should choose, top mouth guards are generally a better choice for fighters who are involved in high-action matches and want a comfortable mouth guard that doesn’t cause any obstructions for them.
Moreover, ALIGNERCO recognizes that fighters require enhanced protection without any compromise, which is why they’re the leading supplier of custom mouth guards in the US. However, it’s still better to consult with a professional to ensure you are making the best choice for yourself.
FAQs
Q: Is the top or bottom mouth guard better?
Ans: It depends on your personal choice and requirement, as both mouth guards serve different purposes. As to which is better for fighters, a top mouth guard is usually the safer bet since the upper teeth are comparatively at risk.
Q: Is it okay to wear mouth guards all day?
Ans: Mouth guards are generally made for short-term use, therefore, wearing them for longer intervals can lead to dental and jaw problems such as difficulty in breathing, chewing, talking, etc.
Q: Is a thick or thin mouth guard better?
Ans: If you’re looking for a mouth guard that offers enhanced protection without any compromise, it is better to go for a thick mouth guard that absorbs shock and any other external force more effectively.
