Preventing tooth loss or damage is the main priority of Garner Family and Cosmetic Dentistry’s general dentistry services. This is why we offer custom-made mouthguards to all our patients (children or adults) who engage in collision and contact sports or activities.
Mouthguards protect your teeth, gums, and jaw from any direct impact they may endure. Consider them a regular part of your athletic gear. Wear them whenever you engage in any activity that puts you at risk for tooth loss or tooth damage.
Dr. Matthew Jenne and the Garner Family and Cosmetic Dentistry team can create a custom-made mouthguard that offers protection and comfort. We are happy to provide these to anyone who feels a mouthguard would be best for their dental health, including patients who experience involuntary teeth grinding at night.
Custom Mouthguards in Garner, NC
Dr. Jenne creates your custom-fit mouthguard by taking dental impressions during your initial office visit. This allows your new mouthguard to fit securely over your teeth or braces for your best protection and comfort. For our younger patients, we offer fun colors for the mouthguard’s design to encourage them to use it as often as needed.
After we have those dental impressions, it takes about a week for the mouthguard to be created in our labs. We will contact you immediately when it is ready to be picked up. If your mouthguard is ever damaged or worn down, contact us! We are happy to examine your current mouthguard and provide you with a new one if necessary.
The Benefits of Custom Mouthguards
Custom guards have many benefits compared to the ones you can get over the counter. There’s no drugstore option that’s completely custom to your smile. Boil and bite mouthguards are about as close as you can get. They need to appeal to a large swath of the population, so they estimate a size. Even when you “mold” it, it’s still often ill-fitting. Instead of focusing on the game, you’re worried about keeping your mouthguard in.
Teamwork is an essential part of many sports. But with a mouthguard that doesn’t fit, you can’t talk with it in your mouth. You also can’t take a quick drink of water without taking it out. You shouldn’t have to focus on taking your mouthguard in and out instead of on the sport you’re playing.
When your mouthguard is too big, you must constantly clench your teeth to keep it in. Clenching your teeth for long periods stresses your jaw joint and the muscles that assist with movement. The jaw joint begins to break down, and your jaw doesn’t track properly. It’s a condition called TMJ. You may experience your jaw popping and clicking, pain and tension throughout your head and face, and an inability to move your jaw into certain positions.
Sports Mouthguards Vs. TMJ Mouthguards
If you already have a mouthguard for one of these conditions, using it for multiple things may be tempting. However, you should never use a mouthguard for anything other than its intended use.
A sports mouthguard is a lightweight, bulkier material that absorbs shock and trauma from a hit to the face. If you try to use it for teeth grinding, you’ll eventually grind right through the material of the mouthguard. The guard will become unusable and you also risk injury to your teeth.
A mouthguard for teeth grinding is a thinner material tight on your teeth. It’s hard plastic to prevent harm to your teeth when you grind them at night. If you try to wear this guard during sports, it won’t provide much protection from hits or trauma. It wouldn’t be much more help than if you weren’t wearing a guard.
Caring for Your Custom Mouthguard
If you want your mouthguard to work properly, you must ensure you take care of it well. Rinse your mouthguard with warm water Each time you take it out. Never use hot as it can warp the material. This removes saliva and debris that build up as you’re wearing it.
At least once daily, thoroughly clean your mouthguard with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste or mild soap. It removes food particles and bacteria that may have built up on your guard. At least once a week, sanitize your guard with a special solution for mouthguards. It eliminates any odor-causing bacteria that’s been clinging to your guard. Leave the mouthguard out to air dry after.
When you’re not using your mouthguard, keep it in a ventilated carrying case. Bacteria love a warm, wet environment, and ventilation helps avoid bacteria build-up and keeps the guard safe from damage. Never store the guard in direct sunlight or too close to heating elements.
Lastly, monitor the look and feel of your guard. You know it best and can recognize when something doesn’t feel right, and the fit has changed. Visually inspect it, too. If there are obvious signs of wear and tear, it may be time to get a replacement. Bring the guard into our office to determine the best course of action.
Custom Mouthguards FAQs
Custom mouthguards are the best way to protect your smile. Read the answers to these commonly asked questions to learn more.
What does a mouthguard do to protect your teeth?
Mouthguards protect your top teeth, gums, and soft tissue. Dental-grade custom-fit mouthguards mold to the exact shape and crevices of a patient’s jaw, giving them the highest level of protection against impact. A mouthguard provides an extra layer between your teeth, gums, and anything else that they may come in contact with.
Can a mouthguard help end my habit of grinding my teeth?
Mouthguards do not stop the habit of grinding one’s teeth but protect teeth. When you grind your teeth, they wear at the surface and cause damage to each tooth. Although wearing a mouthguard may not stop you from grinding your teeth, it protects them from further damage.
How do dentists custom-fit mouthguards compared to at-home custom fit?
Dentists use dental putty or digital impressions to take an exact mold of a patient’s teeth. They then use the mold to create a mouthguard that fits exactly to one’s mouth. You have to put store-bought mouthguards in boiling water until they are soft to shape them. Then, you place them into your mouth, bite down, and wait. This process will not guarantee a precise fit because you are not a professional yet.
The shape of the mouthguard will also change over time if it doesn’t fit correctly the first time. Dental-grade custom-fitted mouthguards fit better and offer more protection than store-bought mouthguards.
How long does a custom-made mouthguard last?
Your custom mouthguard could last up to five years if you properly care for it. However, we recommend replacing it annually or biannually due to normal wear and tear. The length of time it lasts is also varied based on how often you’re using the guard.
How do you take care of a custom mouthguard?
The best way to care for your custom mouthguard is to clean it daily. You can rinse your mouthguard with water or a cleaning solution and brush it afterward. We also recommend having a case for your mouthguard to keep it safe when not in use.
Are custom mouthguards supposed to be tight?
It’s possible that your mouthguard doesn’t fit properly if you have to clench or bite your teeth to keep it in place. Your mouthguard should not shift, and you should not need to hold it in place. If this occurs, call our office to discuss options for creating a mold and mouthguard that fit properly.
Schedule an Appointment
If you play contact sports or grind your teeth, a custom mouthguard is required. You can schedule an appointment online or call our office.