Custom mouthguards are a good option for those looking to protect their teeth, and can be used for sports or other applications such as for protection during sleep against teeth grinding.
A well-fitted, custom made mouthguard can protect your teeth and jaw by limiting the impact from contact and reducing the risk of damage to your teeth. Without one, sportspeople run the risk of damaging, chipping, breaking, or even knocking out their teeth, which can be a painful and costly problem to fix.
What is a custom mouthguard?
A custom mouth guard is a thick piece of plastic that sits snugly around your teeth, protecting them from damage.
There are mouthguards that you can buy ‘off the shelf’ at pharmacies and sports stores. However, these are not made specifically for your teeth and are, therefore, usually not a very good fit. While they will offer more protection than nothing, they are not the gold standard when it comes to mouthguards.
Similarly, boil-and-bite mouthguards are available to buy over the counter. For these, you would boil the pre-made mouthguard in water to soften the plastic, then bite into it. This is a step up from one-size-fits-all mouthguards, but is not as fitted or protective as custom mouthguards.
The gold standard in mouthguards are custom made by a dentist or dental professional.
These are made by taking impressions of your teeth and gums, and having the mouthguard made to your exact mouth. This means every tooth will sit close against the mouth guard, leaving no room for it to move.
Sports mouthguards are most often used for contact sports, such as rugby or hockey. Players can (and do) receive knocks to the face that can easily damage teeth, which is why custom mouthguards are an essential piece of safety gear.
Mouthguards are also sometimes used for other applications, such as for those who grind their teeth in their sleep (bruxism). This common issue can wear away teeth over time, so a mouthguard will help to prevent that damage.
The advantages of a custom-fitted mouthguard
Custom mouthguards are extremely useful for keeping your teeth and gums in good condition, even when playing contact sports.
- Minimises and avoids damage: Custom-made mouthguards are the gold standard in minimising and avoiding damage from sports-related injuries, as their tight fit ensures teeth have a good layer of protection and that they can’t move during an impact.
- Comfortable wear: When a mouthguard is made specifically for your mouth, it is more comfortable to wear, and makes it easier to breathe than a non-custom mouthguard.
- Avoids costly, painful repairs: From chipped and broken teeth to knocked out teeth that require emergency dental treatment, a custom mouthguard can help to avoid the pain and trauma as well as the cost of getting these issues fixed.
How does a dental mouthguard work?
You might be required to wear a custom mouthguard to play your chosen sport, or your dentist might recommend one to help protect your teeth during sleep if you have bruxism.
During your mouthguard appointment, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth. To do this, you will bite down into a soft clay-like material, and hold this pose for a minute or two. The dentist will remove the new impression and send it away to a lab.
It will usually take a week or two for the lab to create a custom-made mouthguard for your teeth. They will work with instructions from your dentist, which could mean adding a hard insert for very high-impact sports.
Once the mouthguard is ready, you will return to your dentist to pick it up and ensure it fits well. If you wear it often for regular sports, you may be advised to replace it once per year, but it’s important to bring your mouthguard to future dental check-ups so your dentist can check and ensure its strength and integrity.
What to expect from your custom mouthguard appointment
Getting a custom mouthguard is one of the quickest and easiest dental appointments you’ll ever go to. Here’s what to expect:
- Brush and floss before your appointment
- Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth with a special clay
- They will remove the clay impressions and your appointment is finished
- You’ll be in and out within 20 minutes
- It will take a week or two for the lab to create your custom mouthguard
- You will return to your dentist to pick up the mouthguard and ensure it fits well
If you need a custom mouthguard to play sports, get in touch with our friendly team to schedule an appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Adults can keep their mouthguards for several seasons, assuming they don’t break or chew through them. If you can see daylight through the acrylic, it’s time to replace it. However, children will need to have their mouthguard updated each season until their mouth is fully developed.
Yes. We do our best to tailor the colour of your sports appliance to your preferences or to match your team jersey.
It’s important to keep your mouthguard out of reach of pets, who are often tempted to chew on such appliances. Store the mouthguard in a closed case and avoid heat, such as a hot car.
Rinse your appliance with lukewarm tap water and an antibacterial soap after each use and allow it to air dry.
There are some studies that suggest professionally fitted sports mouthguards can significantly reduce the chances of a concussion, due to the way they buffer the mandible (lower jaw) from the base of the skull and brain.
Wearing a snuggly fitted sports mouthguard can lower your chances of chipped or knocked out teeth and soft tissue injuries such as lip, tongue or cheek lacerations.
Most of our mouthguards can be fitted in just one day, assuming we have your color preferences on hand.
Yes. Looser stock guards tend to fall out during secondary injuries or lack the snug fit that provides the best level of protection.
Absolutely. We’re proud to make care affordable and available for patients of all walks of life and financial situations. Currently, we offer both zero deposit and zero interest plans. When you visit us for your consultation, we can speak more about the details and which may be best for you.