If you wake up with a sore jaw, a dull headache, or teeth that feel oddly sensitive in the morning, you might be grinding your teeth in your sleep. And if your child plays hockey, basketball, or any sport with a ball or a stick, their smile is one collision away from a dental emergency. A custom mouth guard solves both problems, comfortably and affordably.
Night guards: for grinding and clenching
Teeth grinding, called bruxism, is incredibly common, and most people who do it have no idea it is happening. It usually happens during sleep, when stress and tension work themselves out through your jaw. Over time, grinding wears down enamel, cracks teeth, strains the jaw joint, and causes those mysterious morning headaches.
A night guard is a thin, comfortable tray you wear while you sleep. It cushions your teeth so they cannot grind against each other. The result is less wear, less jaw pain, and better sleep. Unlike the bulky boil-and-bite guards from the drugstore, a custom night guard is made from an exact impression of your teeth, so it fits snugly, stays in place, and does not make you gag.
Sports guards: cheap insurance for active smiles
A knocked-out tooth is one of the most common sports injuries we see, and it is also one of the most preventable. A custom sports guard absorbs impact and spreads force across your teeth instead of letting one tooth take the full hit. For kids and teens in contact sports, it is genuinely one of the smartest investments a parent can make.
What getting a custom guard is like
It takes two short visits. At the first, we take a precise impression of your teeth and talk through how you will use the guard. A dental lab crafts it to fit you exactly. At the second visit, we check the fit, make any small adjustments, and you walk out protected. Most patients tell us they forget they are even wearing it.
If you suspect grinding, or if sports season is starting, mention it at your next checkup. We can spot the early signs of grinding damage long before you feel them.
Taking care of your guard
A custom guard is an investment worth protecting. Rinse it after every use, brush it gently with a soft toothbrush, and let it air dry before putting it in its case. Keep it away from heat, which means no hot water and no leaving it on the dashboard in summer. And fair warning: dogs love chewing mouth guards, so store the case somewhere your pet cannot reach.
Bring your guard to your regular checkups so we can check its condition. Most night guards last several years, but heavy grinders wear through them faster. If yours develops thin spots, cracks, or just does not fit like it used to, tell us. A worn guard cannot protect you, and replacing it is quick.