The Smarter Way to Protect Your Smile
Your teeth are built to last a lifetime, but they are not invincible. A single blow to the face during a game or years of unconscious nighttime grinding can cause damage that is painful, costly, and sometimes irreversible. Custom mouthguards are one of the most straightforward and effective ways to protect your teeth, jaw, and surrounding structures from the kind of trauma that leads to chipped teeth, fractures, jaw pain, and expensive restorative work.
At Smiles of Punta Gorda, we take impressions of your teeth and have your mouthguard fabricated by a trusted dental laboratory. The result is a precisely fitted appliance that stays securely in place, allows you to breathe and speak comfortably, and provides a level of protection that generic drugstore mouthguards cannot come close to delivering. Whether you need an athletic mouthguard for contact sports or a night guard to address teeth grinding and TMJ-related symptoms, we have you covered.
Get Your Custom MouthguardTwo Types of Custom Mouthguards We Provide
- Athletic Mouthguards: If you or your child participates in contact or collision sports, a custom athletic mouthguard is an essential piece of protective equipment. Sports-related dental injuries are among the most common dental emergencies, and the American Dental Association estimates that athletes who do not wear mouthguards are significantly more likely to suffer tooth injuries than those who do. A custom athletic mouthguard fits precisely over your teeth and absorbs the impact of blows to the face, protecting against chipped and broken teeth, tooth loss, soft tissue lacerations, and even jaw fractures.
- Night Guards for Teeth Grinding and TMJ: Many people grind or clench their teeth during sleep without ever realizing it. This habit, known as bruxism, places enormous pressure on the teeth and jaw joints night after night. Over time it leads to worn and flattened tooth enamel, increased tooth sensitivity, cracked teeth, jaw pain, headaches, and TMJ issues. A custom night guard creates a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, absorbing the forces of grinding and clenching before they can cause lasting damage to your smile.
Custom vs. Store-Bought: Why the Difference Matters
It is tempting to pick up a boil-and-bite mouthguard from the drugstore and call it done. They are inexpensive and widely available, but they come with significant limitations that affect both comfort and protection. Here is how a custom mouthguard from Smiles of Punta Gorda compares:
- Fit and Comfort – Store-bought mouthguards are made to fit a generic mouth, which means they are almost never a precise fit for any individual. They tend to feel bulky, interfere with breathing and speaking, and are difficult to keep in place during activity or sleep. A custom mouthguard is fabricated from detailed impressions of your own teeth, resulting in a slim, secure fit that feels natural and stays put.
- Level of Protection – A mouthguard that does not fit well does not protect well. Loose or ill-fitting guards shift during impact or chewing, leaving teeth and soft tissues vulnerable. Custom mouthguards are designed to distribute force evenly across the entire arch, providing reliable protection exactly where it is needed.
- Durability – Generic mouthguards are made from lower-grade materials that degrade quickly with regular use. A laboratory-fabricated custom mouthguard is made from high-quality, durable materials designed to withstand the demands of athletic activity or nightly wear over an extended period.
- Compliance – Because custom mouthguards are so much more comfortable, patients are far more likely to actually wear them consistently. A mouthguard that sits in a drawer offers no protection at all.
Getting Your Custom Mouthguard at Smiles of Punta Gorda
A custom mouthguard is only as effective as the fit behind it. Our process begins with a thorough assessment of your needs and ends with a precisely fabricated appliance that stays securely in place, feels natural to wear, and delivers the level of protection your smile requires. Here is what to expect from start to finish.
1
Consultation and Assessment
We begin by discussing your specific needs, whether you are looking for athletic protection, relief from grinding symptoms, or both. If you are experiencing jaw pain, headaches, or signs of tooth wear, we will evaluate these as part of your assessment.
2
Dental Impressions
We take precise impressions of your teeth, which capture the exact shape and dimensions of your bite. These impressions are sent to one of our trusted dental laboratories where your custom mouthguard will be fabricated.
3
Laboratory Fabrication
Your mouthguard is crafted from high-quality materials by skilled dental lab technicians. The fabrication process ensures a precise fit and optimal thickness for your specific type of protection, whether athletic or nocturnal.
4
Fitting and Adjustments
When your mouthguard is ready, you return to our office for a fitting. We check the fit, comfort, and bite carefully and make any minor adjustments needed to ensure the appliance feels right and functions as intended.
5
Care Instructions
Before you leave, we walk you through how to clean and care for your mouthguard to keep it in good condition and extend its lifespan.
Who Should Consider a Custom Mouthguard?
Custom mouthguards are appropriate for a wide range of patients. You may be a good candidate if you:
- Participate in football, basketball, soccer, hockey, martial arts, boxing, or any other contact or collision sport
- Play recreational sports where falls or collisions are possible, including cycling, skateboarding, or gymnastics
- Have been told by a partner or family member that you grind your teeth at night
- Wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or facial soreness
- Notice that your teeth are becoming flattened, worn, or increasingly sensitive
- Have been diagnosed with bruxism or TMJ disorder
- Have recently had restorative dental work such as crowns, veneers, or implants that you want to protect
Athletes of all ages benefit from mouthguard protection, and we welcome patients starting at age 5. If you are unsure whether a mouthguard is right for you, our team is happy to evaluate your situation and make a recommendation.
Insurance and Payment Options for Custom Mouthguards
Coverage for custom mouthguards varies by insurance plan. Night guards for bruxism and TMJ are sometimes covered under dental insurance as a medically necessary appliance, while athletic mouthguards may or may not be included depending on your specific plan. Our front office team will verify your benefits before your appointment and help you understand what is covered and what your out-of-pocket cost will be.
For patients who need assistance with the cost, we offer financing through CareCredit and Cherry, allowing you to spread payments over time with manageable monthly installments.
Ready to Protect Your Smile With a Custom Mouthguard?
Do not wait for an injury or further tooth damage before taking action. A custom mouthguard from Smiles of Punta Gorda is a simple, comfortable, and highly effective way to protect your teeth for the long term. Contact us today to schedule your consultation in Punta Gorda, FL.
Request an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
About Custom Mouthguards
An athletic mouthguard is designed to protect the teeth, lips, and jaw from impact during sports and physical activity. It is typically worn over the upper teeth and is made to absorb and distribute the force of blows to the face. A night guard, on the other hand, is designed to be worn during sleep to protect the teeth from the damaging effects of bruxism, or teeth grinding and clenching. While they serve different purposes, both are custom-fabricated from impressions of your teeth for an accurate, comfortable fit.
The process typically involves two appointments. At the first visit, we take impressions of your teeth, which are sent to our dental laboratory for fabrication. Most mouthguards are ready within one to two weeks, at which point you return to our office for a fitting and any minor adjustments.
Rinse your mouthguard with cold water before and after each use. Clean it regularly with a toothbrush and mild soap or a non-abrasive toothpaste, and allow it to air dry before storing it in its case. Avoid leaving it in hot environments such as a car on a warm day, as heat can warp the material. Bring your mouthguard to your regular dental appointments so our team can check its condition and fit.
With proper care, a custom athletic mouthguard typically lasts one to three years depending on the intensity of use. Night guards tend to last longer but should be checked regularly for signs of wear. Growing children and teenagers may need their mouthguards replaced more frequently as their teeth and jaw continue to develop. We recommend bringing your mouthguard to each checkup so we can assess its condition.
A custom night guard can significantly reduce the stress placed on the jaw joints during sleep by preventing the upper and lower teeth from grinding against each other. For many patients, this leads to a noticeable reduction in jaw pain, morning headaches, and facial soreness associated with TMJ disorder. While a mouthguard addresses the effects of grinding and clenching, our team may also recommend additional TMJ treatment depending on the severity of your symptoms.
Yes. Dental injuries are common among young athletes, and children’s developing teeth and jaws are not immune from the impact of collisions, falls, or sports equipment. The American Dental Association recommends mouthguards for all contact and collision sports. A custom-fitted mouthguard is more comfortable and effective than a boil-and-bite option, which means your child is more likely to wear it consistently. We see patients starting at age 5 and are happy to fit young athletes with a mouthguard that works for their sport and their smile.
Coverage varies depending on your insurance plan. Night guards for bruxism or TMJ are often covered as a medically necessary appliance, while athletic mouthguards may have limited or no coverage under some plans. Our front office team will check your benefits before your appointment and give you a clear picture of your coverage and any out-of-pocket costs. Financing through CareCredit and Cherry is available for patients who need assistance with payment.
A properly fitted custom mouthguard should feel secure and comfortable without causing irritation. If your mouthguard feels loose, tight, or causes any discomfort after your fitting appointment, contact our office, and we will make the necessary adjustments. Fit issues are uncommon with custom appliances but easy to address when they do arise.
