People often underestimate how much damage can happen without proper protection. Tooth grinding alone can wear down enamel, cause cracks, and lead to expensive restorations down the road.
Why Custom Mouthguards Work Better
Store-bought guards seem convenient at first glance. You pick one up, boil it, bite down, and hope it fits reasonably well. The problem is that these one-size-fits-most options rarely stay in place comfortably. They can slip during sleep, make breathing difficult during sports, or feel so bulky that people stop wearing them altogether.
Custom mouthguards start with precise impressions of your teeth. We create a guard that matches your bite exactly, which means:
- Better protection because the guard stays where it should
- More comfort since it fits your mouth’s unique shape
- Easier breathing and speaking compared to generic versions
- Longer lifespan because the materials and fit are of higher quality
The difference in comfort alone convinces most people. When a mouthguard feels natural in your mouth, you’ll actually wear it every night or during every game.
Protection for Night Grinding
Bruxism, the technical term for teeth grinding, affects more people than you might think. Stress, sleep disorders, and bite alignment issues can all trigger it. The tricky part is that many people grind their teeth while sleeping and don’t even realize it until a partner mentions the noise or they start experiencing symptoms.
Common signs include waking up with headaches, jaw soreness, or tooth sensitivity. Over time, grinding wears down the chewing surfaces of teeth and can even cause fractures. A properly fitted nightguard creates a protective barrier that absorbs the force of grinding, preventing damage to your natural teeth. The guard takes the wear instead of your enamel.
Some patients worry that wearing something in their mouth will disrupt their sleep. The adjustment period usually lasts just a few nights. After that, most people forget they’re even wearing it.
Sports Mouthguards That Stay Put
Athletes face different challenges than people who grind their teeth at night. A sports guard needs to stay secure during quick movements, allow for easy breathing, and provide impact protection. Football, hockey, basketball, and even seemingly lower-contact sports like soccer can result in dental injuries.
Emergency dental visits for knocked-out or broken teeth happen more often than they should, especially when simple protection could prevent them. Custom athletic mouthguards in Nocatee give players confidence to focus on their game rather than worrying about their teeth. The guards absorb shock from impacts and distribute force away from vulnerable areas.
Young athletes particularly benefit from custom fitting. Their mouths are still growing and changing, so having a guard that actually fits properly makes them more likely to keep it in during practice and games.
TMJ Relief Through Proper Alignment
Temporomandibular joint disorders cause jaw pain, clicking sounds, difficulty chewing, and sometimes even locked jaw. While mouthguards don’t cure TMJ issues, they can provide significant relief for many patients. A custom guard positions your jaw in a way that reduces strain on the joint and surrounding muscles.
The approach differs from grinding guards because the goal focuses on jaw positioning rather than just protecting tooth surfaces. We consider how your upper and lower teeth come together and create a guard that encourages a more relaxed jaw position. This often leads to reduced morning pain and fewer tension headaches.
Treatment for TMJ can involve multiple approaches, and a mouthguard often works best as part of a broader plan that might include physical therapy or stress management.
How We Create Your Custom Guard
The process starts with taking detailed impressions of your upper and lower teeth. These impressions go to a dental lab where technicians create a model of your mouth. They then fabricate a guard using durable, medical-grade materials that match your specific needs.
Night guards typically use slightly different materials than sports guards. The thickness and flexibility vary depending on whether you need protection from grinding force or impact protection. We check the fit carefully when your guard arrives and make any necessary adjustments so it feels comfortable right away.
Most guards last between three and five years with proper care. Regular cleaning with a toothbrush and mild soap keeps them fresh, and storing them in a protective case when not in use prevents damage.
Getting Started with Protection
Many dental insurance plans cover custom mouthguards, particularly those designed to address issues related to grinding. Sports guards may also qualify, although coverage varies by plan. We can help you understand what your insurance includes and provide cost estimates before moving forward.
The investment in a custom guard typically pays for itself by preventing more expensive dental work later. A single crown or root canal costs significantly more than a protective guard, not to mention the discomfort of dealing with a damaged tooth.
If you’ve been putting off getting a mouthguard because you tried a store-bought version that felt terrible, a custom option will surprise you. The difference in comfort and effectiveness is substantial.
Get Your Mouthguards in Nocatee
Ready to protect your smile? Contact our Nocatee practice to discuss which type of mouthguard makes sense for your situation. We’ll examine your teeth, talk through your specific needs, and create a guard that you’ll actually want to wear. Your future self will thank you for taking this step toward better oral health.