Custom Mouthguards in Dallas, Texas
If you or your child engage in contact sports, mouthguards are essential to prevent tooth damage or loss. While over-the-counter options are available, we recommend our personalized mouthguards to ensure a secure fit and minimal slippage.
A well-fitting mouthguard reduces muscle tension around your jaw, improving endurance when playing sports. It also improves performance and on-field comfort.
On-field collisions, falls, and accidents involving impact can affect your dental health. That’s why we offer custom-made mouthguards to provide you with the proper protection while keeping optimal comfort and functionality in mind.
No one wants to waste time adjusting their mouthguard on the field. Additionally, you should be able to speak and drink fluids without removing your mouthguard. With the help of Dr. Huckin, our office can create a customized oral appliance to meet your smile’s unique needs.
Teeth Grinding
While most commonly utilized for sports, mouthguards can also be created for patients who struggle with teeth grinding. Teeth grinding causes significant damage to your teeth over time, so it is best to take preventative measures. Ask Dr. Huckin about the benefits a customized mouthguard could provide you during your next exam.
The Custom Mouthguard Process
To create a custom mouthguard, Dr. Huckin uses impressions of your teeth. Exact impressions are made so that your custom guard fits you perfectly. Dr. Huckin sends the impressions to a lab that will make the mouthguard according to the specifications needed. When the mouthguard is done, you’ll come in to make sure the guard fits the way it should. We’ll make any adjustments that are needed so that you have a mouthguard that fits perfectly.
Sports Mouthguards Vs. Nightguards
Just because mouthguards and nightguards are both protective doesn’t mean that they can be used for the same purposes. Never use your mouthguard for something other than its expressed purpose. If you try to use a mouthguard for other purposes, you risk damaging both the appliance and your teeth.
Sports mouthguards are made out of a lightweight, bulkier material that’s ideal for absorbing shocks. The bulkier material allows the force of the shock to be distributed throughout. A sports mouthguard is not meant to protect your teeth from grinding and other issues. Teeth grinding wears down this material a lot more quickly than the material for actual nightguards.
Nightguards are made of a thinner, harder plastic that helps with jaw position and prevents your teeth from grinding together throughout the night when you’re sleeping. Nightguards are not designed to absorb shocks and won’t protect your teeth in the event of trauma. They also offer little to no protection if something hits you in the mouth. Since sports mouthguards also help protect against concussions and other trauma problems, you’re more susceptible to those as well if you’re trying to use the wrong mouthguard.
Custom Mouthguard Care
Keeping your mouthguard clean is essential to keep your teeth safe and stay healthy. Mouthguards can be a perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria. They grow faster in a warm, wet climate. These bacteria can make you seriously ill and can even be deadly. Taking proper care of your mouthguard ensures that you avoid this.
Each time you wear your mouthguard, rinse it out thoroughly with warm water. Don’t use water that’s too hot, as it can warp the material. You should also clean it each day with a gentle cleanser. Designate a specific soft-bristle toothbrush so that it doesn’t scratch the mouthguard material. Use a mild antibacterial soap or toothpaste with warm water to clean it. Once a week, deep-clean it by soaking it in a denture cleaner or a hydrogen peroxide mixture.
Each time you clean it, be sure to dry it thoroughly as well. Moisture attracts bacteria. Store your mouthguard in a ventilated case when you’re not using it. This helps you keep it dry and also ensures that you always know where it is. You’re less likely to lose or break it when it’s in a special case. Clean your container every few days so that the mouthguard is always going back into a sterile environment.
Custom Mouthguard FAQs
How long do custom mouthguards last?
It all depends on the care you take of them and how much they’re used. They can last up to 3-5 years if you take proper care of them. However, we recommend getting a new sports mouthguard before each sports season. We want to make sure that it’s in good enough shape to protect your smile.
How should a custom mouthguard fit?
The benefit of a custom mouthguard is that it fits you perfectly. It should be snug enough to stay in your mouth without you clenching your jaw but not tight enough that it’s uncomfortable. We take thorough impressions and can make adjustments to ensure your mouthguard fits perfectly.
Will a custom mouthguard shift my teeth?
No, the mouthguard won’t be tight enough to shift your teeth. You may feel a bit of pressure when you’re wearing it because it’s designed to be pretty snug. However, it shouldn’t feel tight enough for it to be sore or uncomfortable. They aren’t like Invisalign aligners, which are specifically designed to shift teeth.
How do boil and bite mouthguards compare to custom mouthguards?
Store-bought, boil, and bite mouthguards are “one-size fits all.” When you create a boil and bite mouthguard, you place it in boiling water and then bite it with your teeth after the plastic is softened. Because these mouthguards only come in one shape, they may feel more bulky and can loosen or fall out. Boil and bite mouthguards may also not last as long as professionally-made mouthguards. Alternatively, custom, professionally-made mouthguards will fit your mouth perfectly. We also use high-quality materials to ensure that our mouthguards last.
Can I talk with my mouthguard?
Yes, you can talk with your mouthguard on your teeth. This is especially useful for playing sports to communicate with teammates and coaches.
Is getting a custom mouthguard worth it?
Absolutely. Ill-fitting mouthguards can further complicate dental problems because they need you to clench your teeth so much. They’re also more likely to fall out and become a distraction while you’re playing as well. They may not be able to protect your smile properly.
Request an Appointment Today
Dr. Huckin creates personalized mouthguards that are unique to your needs. Call us or schedule an appointment online to get started.