Custom Mouth Guards For Sports and Grinding
A mouth guard is a protective device that fits inside your mouth to help prevent injuries to your lips, teeth, and gums. For patients who regularly engage in sports or experience teeth grinding or clenching, wearing a mouth guard is essential. It forms a protective barrier between your teeth and external forces, helping to reduce the risk of jaw injuries, tooth chips, cracks, or even tooth loss.
When selecting a mouth guard, we always recommend choosing a custom-fitted option over store-bought alternatives. Boil-and-bite mouth guards, often found at pharmacies and sports shops, are softened in boiling water and shaped at home. While more affordable, they typically do not offer the same level of comfort or protection.
Stock mouth guards are another common store-bought type that come pre-formed. These provide the least amount of protection and can be uncomfortable to wear. Since they are made in a standard size, they often do not fit properly and may interfere with breathing or swallowing. For this reason, we do not recommend stock mouth guards.
Store-Bought vs Custom-Fit Mouth Guards
There are many options for patients looking to protect their teeth during physical activity or while sleeping. One of the biggest questions is whether to choose a store-bought or custom-fit mouth guard. Store-bought guards are mass-produced in generic shapes and sizes, which may not fit your mouth properly. These guards are made from soft, thin plastic that loses its shape over time and usually needs to be replaced every 90 days or after 40 uses.
Custom-fit mouth guards, on the other hand, are created by a dental professional using impressions of your teeth. They are made from durable thermoplastic materials and offer a more secure, comfortable fit. Because of their quality and precise fit, custom mouth guards last significantly longer and provide better protection.
Sports Guards
If you participate in contact sports or other physical activities, it is important to wear a properly fitted sports guard to help protect your face, jaw, and teeth. Injuries can happen at any age, which is why prevention is so important.
We recommend sports guards for activities like football, hockey, rugby, and basketball. They can also be useful for sports like baseball, soccer, and cricket. Even recreational activities such as skateboarding, cycling, or track and field can carry risks that make wearing a guard a smart choice.
A quality sports mouth guard should be comfortable, secure, and allow for normal breathing. It should not have a strong odor, and it should fully protect your teeth and gums from potential trauma or force.
Night Guards
Some patients experience symptoms such as headaches, jaw discomfort, tooth sensitivity, or cracked teeth due to undiagnosed bruxism. Bruxism is a condition that involves grinding or clenching the teeth, usually during sleep. Over time, this can lead to enamel loss, chipped teeth, or even tooth loss. A night guard can help prevent further damage and reduce discomfort once the condition is identified.
There are a few types of night guards available. Custom night guards are made professionally using an impression of your teeth, providing a secure and personalized fit. Boil-and-bite night guards are available over the counter and can be molded at home, though they may not offer the same comfort or protection. One-size-fits-all night guards are also sold in stores, but because they are not customized, they are not recommended for long-term use and may only be suitable for occasional grinding.