A customized mouthguard gives your teeth protection that is designed around your individual smile. At Paramount Dental in Sacramento, custom-fit mouthguards can help protect teeth during sports or reduce damage caused by nighttime grinding and clenching.
Benefits of Customized Mouthguards
A mouthguard works best when it fits properly and is worn consistently. Custom mouthguards are made to fit the shape of your teeth and can be designed for a specific purpose. Depending on your needs, a customized mouthguard may help:
- Protect teeth from sports-related impact and dental injuries.
- Cushion the teeth and surrounding tissues during athletic activities.
- Protect teeth from wear, chips, and cracks associated with nighttime grinding or clenching.
- Help protect crowns, fillings, bonding, and other dental restorations from grinding forces.
- Provide a more secure and comfortable fit than many stock mouthguards.
- Make it easier to wear the appliance consistently when recommended.
Sports mouthguards and night guards serve different purposes. An athletic mouthguard is designed to absorb impact, while a night guard creates a protective barrier between the teeth during sleep. Your dentist can determine which design is appropriate for you.
The Customized Mouthguard Process
The process begins with a visit to the Paramount Dental Midtown Sacramento office.
- Evaluating Your Teeth and Bite: Our dentist may check for worn enamel, chipped teeth, damaged restorations, jaw tenderness, or other signs of grinding and clenching. Athletes can discuss their sport, level of contact, and any previous dental injuries. If you have unexplained tooth wear or jaw discomfort, a dental exam can help determine whether a night guard is appropriate or whether another concern needs attention.
- Creating Your Custom Fit: Measurements, impressions, or digital records of your teeth may be used to create an appliance that closely follows the shape of your smile.
- Fabricating the Mouthguard: Your mouthguard is created to fit your teeth and intended use. Sports guards are designed with impact protection in mind, while night guards are designed to separate and protect the teeth from grinding and clenching forces.
- Checking the Fit: Once the mouthguard is ready, your dental team can check how it fits and make adjustments when needed. A well-fitting appliance should feel secure without causing unnecessary pressure or irritation.
- Learning How to Use It: Our Sacramento dentist will explain when to wear the appliance and how to clean and store it. Sports mouthguards should be worn during activities where dental injury is possible, including practices when appropriate. Night guards should be worn according to your dentist’s instructions.
Candidacy & Alternatives
Customized mouthguards may be recommended for children, teens, and adults depending on their activities and oral health needs.
You may benefit from a custom mouthguard if you:
- Participate in contact, collision, or other activities with a risk of dental injury.
- Clench or grind your teeth while sleeping.
- Have visible tooth wear associated with bruxism.
- Frequently wake with jaw muscle tenderness or other symptoms that need dental evaluation.
- Have crowns, bonding, or other restorations your dentist recommends protecting from grinding forces.
- Have previously chipped or injured a tooth during sports.
Sports Mouthguards
A properly fitted sports mouthguard can help reduce the incidence and severity of dental and oral injuries during activities where impact is possible. Mouthguards may be appropriate for traditional contact sports as well as recreational activities that carry a risk of falls or facial trauma.
Night Guards for Teeth Grinding
A night guard may be recommended when grinding or clenching puts your teeth at risk of excessive wear or damage. The appliance creates a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth. While a night guard helps protect teeth, it does not necessarily stop the grinding habit itself. Our dentist may recommend additional evaluation if your symptoms suggest another contributing condition.
Over-the-Counter Mouthguards
Stock and boil-and-bite sports mouthguards are widely available and can provide protection when they fit correctly and are worn consistently. A custom-made mouthguard is individually fitted by a dental professional and may offer improved comfort and retention.
Night guards purchased without professional evaluation may not be appropriate for every patient. If an appliance causes pain, changes the way your bite feels, or does not fit securely, stop using it and speak with your dentist.
Customized Mouthguard Cost & Insurance
The cost of a custom mouthguard depends on the type of appliance, its design and materials, and whether additional dental evaluation or treatment is needed before the guard is made.
Dental insurance coverage varies. Some plans may provide benefits for medically necessary night guards or athletic mouthguards, while others may classify them differently or exclude coverage. Our office staff will review your specific benefits and help you understand estimated costs and available insurance benefits. You can also review our insurance and financing page for additional information on qualifying for financing or payment plans.
Aftercare & Maintenance
Taking care of your custom mouthguard helps keep it clean and protects its fit. Follow the specific instructions provided with your appliance, since recommendations can vary by material and design.
General mouthguard care may include:
- Rinsing the mouthguard before and after each use.
- Cleaning it regularly according to your dental team’s instructions.
- Allowing the appliance to dry and store it in a protective, ventilated case.
- Keeping it away from excessive heat, which may distort certain materials.
- Checking it regularly for cracks, rough edges, thinning, or changes in fit.
- Bringing it to dental appointments when requested so your dentist can evaluate its condition.
Mouthguards do not last forever. Normal wear, grinding, dental treatment, tooth movement, growth, or changes in your bite can affect the fit. Children and teenagers may need replacement more frequently as their mouths develop.
Contact Paramount Dental if your mouthguard becomes damaged, feels loose or uncomfortable, or begins changing the way your teeth come together.
Customized Mouthguards FAQs
What is a customized mouthguard?
A customized mouthguard is a dental appliance made to closely fit your teeth. Depending on its design, it can protect your smile from sports-related injuries or help protect your teeth from nighttime grinding and clenching.
Is a sports mouthguard the same as a night guard?
No. Sports mouthguards are designed to cushion the teeth during impact, while night guards are designed to protect teeth from grinding and clenching forces during sleep. The two appliances should not be used interchangeably.
Who should wear a sports mouthguard?
A properly fitted mouthguard is recommended for activities with a meaningful risk of dental or facial injury. This can include contact and collision sports as well as other activities where falls or impacts may occur.
How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
You may notice worn or chipped teeth, morning jaw tenderness, tooth sensitivity, or other changes. Some people have no obvious symptoms and learn about grinding during a dental examination.
Will a night guard stop me from grinding my teeth?
Not necessarily. A night guard primarily helps separate and protect your teeth from damaging grinding and clenching forces. Your dentist may also discuss other factors or treatments if you have ongoing symptoms.
Are custom mouthguards better than store-bought mouthguards?
Custom mouthguards are made specifically for your teeth and can provide a more secure, comfortable fit. Properly fitted over-the-counter sports mouthguards can also offer protection, but stock options may not provide the same individualized fit and retention.
How long does a custom mouthguard last?
There is no single replacement schedule. How long your mouthguard lasts depends on how often you wear it, how heavily you grind, the condition of the material, and whether your teeth or bite change. Your dentist can check its fit during routine visits.
How should I clean my mouthguard?
Rinse your mouthguard after use and clean it according to your dentist’s instructions. Store it in a clean, ventilated case and avoid exposing it to excessive heat that could affect its shape.
Should I replace my mouthguard if I have dental work done?
Possibly. A new crown, filling, orthodontic treatment, tooth movement, or other changes to your smile can affect how an existing mouthguard fits. Bring the appliance with you so your dentist can determine whether an adjustment or replacement is needed.
Protect your smile with an appliance designed around your needs. Talk with Paramount Dental about a customized sports mouthguard or night guard and find the right fit for your teeth, lifestyle, and daily routine.