Custom Mouth Guard
Your teeth are one of your most valuable assets. Repairing a chipped, broken, or knocked-out tooth can cost thousands of dollars and lead to a lifetime of dental issues. A custom mouth guard is one of the simplest yet most powerful tools in preventive dentistry. While many people think of mouth guards only as sports equipment, the truth is that a properly fitted guard protects the teeth, jaw, soft tissues, and restorations from a wide range of injuries and long-term damage.
While generic options are available, a custom mouth guard provided by your dentist offers a level of safety, comfort, and durability that store-bought versions simply cannot match.
The Custom Difference
Every patient’s mouth is unique. The size of the arch, the position of the teeth, bite relationship, and even breathing patterns vary widely from person to person. This is why a one-size-fits-all appliance rarely fits well. A custom guard is created using an accurate digital scan or impression of your teeth, allowing it to sit snugly over the upper or lower arch without unnecessary bulk or movement. This ensures the guard stays in place even during intense physical activity or nighttime grinding.
Superior Impact Protection
The primary job of a mouth guard is to absorb and distribute the force of an impact. Because a custom guard fits your teeth perfectly, it doesn’t shift. When a blow to the face occurs, the guard stays in place to cushion your teeth and soft tissues (lips, tongue, and cheeks). This precise fit can also help reduce the risk of jaw fractures by stabilizing the jaw during a collision.
Unmatched Comfort
Custom guards are trimmed to sit perfectly along your gum line without extending too far back into the throat, which eliminates the gag reflex common with store-bought versions. Because the material is thinner where it needs to be and thicker at critical impact zones, it feels natural. You can speak clearly to your coach, drink water, and breathe normally without removing the device.
Protection for Braces
For athletes with braces, a mouth guard is non-negotiable. An impact to the face can not only damage the brackets and wires but can also cause severe lacerations to the inside of the cheeks. A custom guard can be designed to fit over braces, protecting both the orthodontic appliance and the soft tissues of the mouth.
Who Needs a Custom Mouth Guard?
While we often associate mouth guards with rugby or boxing, they are essential for anyone participating in activities where there is a risk of falling or contact with other players or equipment.
Athletes
The British Dental Association recommends mouth guards for dozens of sports, including:
- Rugby
- Boxing
- Basketball
- Hockey
- Martial arts
Teeth Grinders (Bruxism)
Mouth guards aren’t just for the playing field. Many people grind or clench their teeth while sleeping, a condition known as bruxism. Over time, this can wear down enamel, crack teeth, and cause jaw pain or headaches. A custom “night guard” functions similarly to a sports guard but is designed specifically to withstand the pressure of grinding and protect your teeth while you sleep.
How the Process Works
Getting a custom mouth guard is a simple, painless process that usually takes two short visits to your dentist.
- The Impression: During your first visit, the dentist will take an impression or a 3D digital scan of your teeth. This ensures every contour is captured.
- Fabrication: This model is sent to a dental laboratory where the guard is fabricated using high-quality, durable materials.
- The Fit: Once the guard is ready, you will return for a quick fitting. The dentist will ensure it sits comfortably and stays effectively in place.
Invest in Your Smile
It is easy to think that a £20 piece of plastic is “good enough” until an accident happens. The cost of emergency dental work to fix a broken tooth far exceeds the price of a professionally made mouth guard.
By choosing a custom option, you are investing in insurance for your smile. You get better protection, better performance, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your teeth are safe.
If you or your child are active in sports, or if you suspect you grind your teeth at night, don’t wait for damage to occur.
