A mouth guard is a specially crafted device designed to shield your lips, teeth, and gums from injury. Whether you’re active in sports or prone to grinding your teeth, wearing a mouth guard forms a protective barrier between your teeth and any external force. It helps guard against jaw injuries, tooth chips, cracks, and even tooth loss.
Book OnlineChoosing the right mouth guard is key, and we always suggest our patients opt for a custom mouth guard instead of store-bought options. Over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards, typically found in pharmacies and sports stores, can be molded at home by softening the plastic in boiling water then shaping it around your teeth. While budget-friendly, they often lack the comfort and protection of a custom fit.
Stock mouth guards come pre-formed and are ready to wear but offer minimal protection and comfort. Because they follow a “one size fits all” approach, they might not fit well, potentially causing interference with swallowing and breathing. This makes them less ideal for long-term use.
Store-Bought vs Custom-Fit Mouth Guards
If you’re wondering about the differences between store-bought and custom-fit mouth guards, here’s what you need to know. Store-bought guards are mass produced to fit a wide range of mouth shapes but may not provide a secure fit for everyone. Thin, soft plastics used in these guards tend to lose shape quickly, requiring replacement every 90 days or after about 40 uses.
In contrast, custom-fit mouth guards are crafted by a dental professional using precise impressions and measurements of your teeth. Made from durable thermoplastic, they offer superior comfort and protection. Plus, they last three to four times longer than store-bought options, making them a smart long-term investment.
Sports Guards
If you play contact sports or participate in vigorous physical activities, wearing a sports guard is essential to protect your face, teeth, and jaw from injury. Oral trauma can happen at any age, so staying protected is crucial.
We recommend sports guards for athletes in football, rugby, hockey, basketball, and also for those involved in baseball, cricket, and soccer. Recreational activities like skateboarding, cycling, and track and field also benefit from wearing sports guards.
These guards help absorb shocks and reduce pressure from impacts, protecting your teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues. When selecting a sports guard, look for one that fits comfortably yet securely, allows easy breathing, offers full protection, and is odor-free.
Night Guards
Many patients discover they suffer from headaches, TMD, tooth sensitivity, or damaged teeth caused by bruxism—grinding or clenching teeth during sleep. Since bruxism often goes unnoticed, many don’t realize they have it until symptoms appear. Left untreated, it can cause broken teeth, enamel loss, and tooth loss.
Once diagnosed, a night guard can relieve tension and protect your teeth from further wear. Options include custom night guards made by dental professionals, boil-and-bite guards that you mold at home, and one-size-fits-all guards. While over-the-counter options offer a quick fix, they may lack long-term comfort and protection compared to custom-made guards.