Mouthguards in Fayetteville, AR

What’s the best protection? It depends on what you are protecting your teeth from and how often you will be wearing the guard. For athletes with a higher risk of contact, we often recommend considering a custom-fitted mouthguard because it’s made to match the individual shape of your teeth. Store-bought options can provide some protection, but the fit and comfort can vary from person to person. A custom guard can be especially useful for athletes who play sports regularly like football, hockey, martial arts, basketball, or other sports-related activities. During your visit, we can examine your mouth and help you choose an option based on your specific risk, sport, and dental needs.

Boil and bite mouthguards are softened in hot water and then shaped around the teeth, making them more adaptable than basic ready-made guards. However, the final shape depends heavily on how well the guard is formed at home, so the fit can vary. Custom mouthguards are made using a detailed record of your individual teeth and bite, which generally allows for a more personalized fit. For people who play contact sports frequently or want a guard designed specifically around their mouth, we may recommend discussing a custom option. We can compare the options with you and recommend protection based on your activities, comfort, and risk of injury.

Yes, we often recommend mouth protection for patients who wear braces and participate in activities where they could hit their face or mouth. Braces can increase the chance that an impact will push brackets or wires against the lips and cheeks, potentially causing additional injuries. The guard needs enough space to protect both the braces and surrounding soft tissues while allowing for changes as the teeth move. You should not choose a guard that fits so tightly it interferes with your braces or ongoing dental treatment. We can evaluate your braces and recommend a mouthguard that will protect while allowing your treatment to continue.

A dental night guard can help protect your teeth when you grind or clench at night. Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can put repeated force on the teeth and may cause worn surfaces, chips, broken teeth, or discomfort around the jaw. We can examine your teeth for signs of grinding and determine if a night guard is right for you. The purpose of the guard is to create a barrier so the upper and lower teeth don’t grind directly against each other. Because grinding patterns and bites vary, we recommend having your mouth evaluated rather than choosing a night guard based on how it looks or feels in the package.

There is no one size fits all replacement schedule because the life of a custom made mouthguard depends on how often you wear it, how hard you bite or grind and if your teeth or bite change. Some adults may be able to use a properly cared for guard for several years, while athletes, children, or people who grind heavily may need to be replaced sooner. We recommend checking your guard regularly for cracks, thinning, changes in shape, or other signs of wear and tear. Bring your guard to your dental visits so we can check its fit and condition, especially if you notice it feels different in your mouth. Proper cleaning with cool water, storing it in a protective case, and keeping it away from direct sunlight and heat can also help maintain its shape.