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Custom Mouth Guards in Nanaimo
Custom mouth guards are designed to help protect your teeth, gums, lips, and jaw from injury, grinding, clenching, and excessive pressure. They can be helpful for patients who play sports, take part in physical activities, or experience nighttime teeth grinding.
At Wentworth Dental, our Nanaimo Dental Clinic provides custom mouth guards that are made to fit your mouth more comfortably and securely than many store-bought options. A better fit can help improve protection, reduce irritation, and make the guard easier to wear consistently.
A custom mouth guard may help reduce the risk of chipped teeth, cracked teeth, jaw strain, tooth wear, soft tissue injuries, and damage caused by grinding or sports-related impact. For questions about sports guards or night guards, contact Wentworth Dental to book an appointment and learn whether a custom mouth guard may be right for you.
Custom Mouth Guards at Wentworth Dental
Store-bought mouth guards are often made in standard sizes, which means they may feel bulky, loose, or uncomfortable. Some boil-and-bite options can be shaped at home, but they may not provide the same level of fit, durability, or protection as a mouth guard made with dental impressions or digital measurements.
A custom-fit mouth guard is made for your bite and mouth shape. This helps it stay in place more securely while protecting the areas that need support. For patients who grind their teeth at night or participate in sports, comfort and fit are important because the guard needs to be worn consistently to be effective. Custom mouth guards may be recommended for patients with:
Why Choose a Custom-Fit Mouth Guard?
Nighttime Grinding or Jaw Clenching
Contact Sports or Physical Activities
Chipped, Worn, or Sensitive Teeth
Jaw Tension or Morning Headaches
A Need for Better Comfort and Fit
Types of Custom Mouth Guards
Wentworth Dental can help patients choose the right mouth guard based on their habits, activities, and oral health needs. Sports guards and night guards are designed for different purposes, so our team will explain which option may be right for you.
Sports Guards
Sports guards help protect the teeth, lips, gums, and jaw during contact sports, recreational activities, and physical impact. A custom fit helps the guard stay secure and comfortable.
Night Guards
Night guards are designed for patients who grind or clench their teeth while sleeping. They help protect the teeth from wear, chips, cracks, sensitivity, and jaw strain caused by repeated pressure overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a custom mouth guard?
A custom mouth guard is a protective dental appliance made to fit your teeth and bite. It is designed to help protect the teeth, gums, lips, and jaw from injury, grinding, clenching, or pressure. Unlike many store-bought guards, a custom mouth guard is created for your mouth shape, which can improve comfort, stability, and protection during sports or nighttime wear.
Are custom mouth guards better than store-bought guards?
Custom mouth guards usually provide a more secure and comfortable fit than store-bought options. Over-the-counter guards are made in standard shapes or softened at home, which may lead to a loose, bulky, or uncomfortable fit. A custom guard is designed from dental impressions or scans, helping it stay in place better and provide more reliable protection for your teeth and jaw.
Who should wear a sports guard?
A sports guard may be recommended for patients who participate in contact sports or activities where the mouth, teeth, or jaw could be injured. This can include hockey, football, rugby, basketball, soccer, baseball, cycling, skateboarding, and other physical activities. A properly fitted sports guard can help reduce the risk of chipped teeth, knocked out teeth, soft tissue injuries, and jaw trauma.
How do I know if I need a night guard?
You may benefit from a night guard if you grind or clench your teeth while sleeping. Signs can include morning headaches, jaw soreness, sensitive teeth, worn enamel, chipped teeth, cracked teeth, or facial muscle tension. Since many patients do not realize they grind at night, a dental exam can help identify signs of bruxism and determine whether a custom night guard may be helpful.
How long does a custom mouth guard last?
The lifespan of a custom mouth guard depends on how often it is worn, the strength of your bite, how well it is cleaned, and whether it is used for sports or grinding. Some patients may need replacements sooner if they grind heavily or if the guard becomes worn, cracked, loose, or uncomfortable. Wentworth Dental can check your mouth guard during routine visits and recommend replacement when needed.
Whether you need protection for sports or nighttime grinding, Wentworth Dental can help you choose a custom mouth guard designed for comfort, fit, and long-term protection.
