Custom Mouthguards: A Perfect Fit for Your Needs

Have you ever worried about damaging your teeth during a sports game or other physical activity? A mouth guard is a simple but powerful tool for protecting your smile. It acts as a cushion for your teeth and gums, preventing serious injuries and wear. Investing in the right mouthguard is a crucial step in maintaining your long-term dental health and preserving your overall oral health.

At Haid Dental in Dublin, OH, Dr. Tara Haid, Dr. R. Michael Emrich, and Dr. Lisa Johnson provide high-quality, custom mouthguards that offer superior comfort and protection compared to generic, over-the-counter options. Whether you play contact sports or grind your teeth at night, a well-fitted mouth guard can make all the difference in safeguarding your oral health and preventing serious dental injuries.

Why Mouthguards Are Essential for Dental Protection

A mouthguard is a flexible dental appliance worn over the upper teeth (and sometimes the lower teeth) to protect against impact forces and jaw clenching. The American Dental Association strongly recommends wearing a sports mouth guard during any activity that poses a risk of injury to the teeth, jaw, or soft tissues of the oral cavity. Sports such as football, basketball, hockey, and martial arts are common examples where players experience broken or knocked-out teeth without proper protection.

But mouthguards aren't just for athletes. They can also help reduce jaw pain, prevent facial pain, and protect dental work—such as crowns, veneers, or dental implants—from damage caused by nighttime grinding or jaw clenching.

How a Mouthguard Works

A properly fitted mouthguard acts as a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, soft tissues, and jaw. Cushioning impact forces helps prevent chipped or broken teeth, soft tissue injuries, and damage to the jaw joint. The thermoplastic material used in custom mouthguards absorbs shock and evenly distributes pressure across your oral cavity, reducing the risk of serious dental injuries.

Beyond protecting your teeth during contact sports like ice hockey or martial arts, mouthguards also minimize strain on jaw muscles and reduce facial pain caused by clenching or grinding. This is especially beneficial for patients who experience tension or jaw pain during physical activity. A high-quality, custom-fit mouthguard crafted in a dental lab ensures a secure, comfortable fit, allowing natural breathing and speech while providing optimal protection for your smile.

The Main Types of Mouthguards

There are several types of mouthguards available, each offering different levels of protection and comfort. Understanding their differences can help you make an informed decision about which is best for your needs.

Stock Mouthguards

Stock mouthguards are the most readily available and affordable option, typically found at sporting goods stores. They come pre-formed and are available in limited sizes. While inexpensive, they often offer the least effective protection because they can't be adjusted to your unique bite or oral cavity. Many patients find stock mouthguards uncomfortable, bulky, and difficult to keep in place during activity, leading to limited protection and restricted breathing.

Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards

Available both online and in stores, boil-and-bite mouthguards are made from a thermoplastic material that softens when placed in hot water. After briefly cooling in cool water, the user bites into the softened guard to create a semi-custom fit. While these types of mouthguards offer a better fit than stock versions, they can still be uneven and less durable than professionally made options. Improper molding process can also lead to uneven protection or discomfort.

Custom Mouthguards

At Haid Dental in Dublin, OH, we create custom mouthguards tailored to your smile. Using precise dental impressions or a digital impression of your teeth, our dental lab crafts a guard that matches your exact bite and jaw alignment. This ensures the best fit, maximum comfort, and optimal protection.

A custom mouth guard not only protects the front and back teeth but also accommodates existing dental work and orthodontic appliances, such as braces. Because they're made from durable dental materials, they last significantly longer than over-the-counter options and are easier to wear consistently during both games and practices.

How Custom Mouthguards Are Made

At Haid Dental, creating your custom mouthguard is a quick and straightforward process that ensures your guard fits perfectly and feels comfortable.

Consultation and Evaluation

During your initial dental visit in Dublin, Dr. Haid, Dr. Emrich, or Dr. Johnson will evaluate your teeth, gums, and bite to determine the type of mouthguard that best fits your needs. When you need protection for contact sports, our experienced team will recommend the most effective option.

Impression of Your Teeth

We'll take an accurate impression of your teeth using either a traditional mold or advanced digital scanning. This ensures your guard fits precisely over your top teeth and aligns properly with your lower teeth for comfort and stability.

Fabrication in the Dental Lab

Your dental impressions are sent to our dental lab, where a custom mouth guard is created from high-quality, durable thermoplastic materials. The result is a perfectly fitted guard that provides superior impact absorption and protection against injury.

Final Fitting and Adjustments

Once your custom mouthguard is ready, you'll return to our office for a fitting.  Dr. Haid, Dr. Emrich, or Dr. Johnson will ensure the guard feels secure, comfortable, and easy to speak and breathe with. Any necessary adjustments will be made to guarantee a perfect fit.

Benefits of Wearing a Custom Mouthguard

A custom mouthguard offers numerous advantages for both athletes and patients with other oral health concerns.

Superior Protection

Because custom guards are made using precise dental impressions, they provide full coverage and stability for your upper and lower teeth, reducing the risk of dental injuries and protecting soft tissues inside the mouth.

Enhanced Comfort and Fit

Unlike bulky, stock guards, custom mouthguards are designed specifically for your oral cavity and jaw alignment, allowing for easy breathing, speaking, and swallowing during wear.

Long-Lasting Durability

High-quality dental materials make custom guards more resistant to wear and tear, even during frequent use. With proper maintenance, they can last for years before needing replacement.

Protection for Dental Work and Orthodontics

If you have braces, crowns, or dental implants, a custom guard is the safest choice. It provides gentle protection around your dental work and minimizes damage during contact sports or grinding.

Caring for Your Mouthguard

Proper maintenance is essential to keep your mouthguard clean, effective, and in good condition. Taking a few simple steps after each use will help prevent bacteria buildup and extend the life of your appliance, which is essential for your oral health. Always handle your mouthguard with clean hands to avoid transferring germs.

To care for your mouthguard, follow these simple tips:

• Rinse your mouthguard with cool water immediately after each use. Avoid hot water, as it can warp the material.
• Gently brush the guard with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste or mild soap.
• Allow the mouthguard to air-dry completely on a clean surface before storing it.

Always store your mouthguard in a sturdy, ventilated container to keep it safe from dust, bacteria, and pets. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight or a hot car, as high temperatures can affect the material's shape. Even with excellent care, mouthguards should be replaced every 6–12 months—or sooner if they no longer fit snugly. Regular checkups at Haid Dental in Dublin, OH, ensure your mouthguard continues to offer the best protection for your smile.

Who Should Consider a Mouthguard

Anyone involved in contact sports such as ice hockey, football, basketball, soccer, or martial arts should wear a sports mouth guard. Even athletes in non-contact sports like gymnastics or mountain biking can benefit from the added protection a mouthguard provides.

Additionally, patients experiencing jaw clenching, teeth grinding, or jaw pain should discuss custom bite guards or night guards with Dr. Haid, Dr. Emrich, or Dr. Johnson. These appliances help preserve tooth structure, reduce facial pain, and prevent further wear on your natural teeth.

Store-Bought vs. Custom Mouthguards

While store-bought mouthguards may seem convenient, they rarely provide the proper fit or protection level needed for long-term use. Custom mouthguards from our Dublin office are designed for your exact bite and crafted from durable materials that resist tearing and deformation.

Unlike stock mouthguards, custom options don't interfere with breathing or talking and stay securely in place throughout activity. They also accommodate dental work and offer better impact absorption, making them the right mouthguard for lasting protection.

Experience Comfortable, Reliable Protection at Haid Dental

A well-fitted custom mouthguard is an investment in your oral health and overall well-being. Whether you're a baseball player, ninja, or simply looking to prevent dental injuries, the team at Haid Dental can help you find the right mouthguard for your needs.

Our goal is to protect your natural teeth with modern dental care solutions that combine safety, comfort, and performance. If you're ready to take the next step toward protecting your smile, call Haid Dental in Dublin, OH, today at 614-635-9651 to schedule your appointment and experience the difference a custom mouthguard can make!