If you or your child plays sports, you’ve probably seen mouthguards at the local sporting goods store. They’re affordable, easy to grab, and seem like a simple solution. But are they actually protecting your smile the way they should? At Great Basin Dental in Reno, we see the difference every day. A custom mouthguard isn’t just a fancier version of a store-bought one; it’s a completely different level of protection. Here’s what you need to know before your next season starts.
Why Mouthguards Matter
Dental injuries during sports are more common than most people realize. A stray elbow, a ball to the face, or a hard fall can chip, crack, or knock out a tooth in an instant. High-risk sports include basketball, football, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, soccer, and even skateboarding and mountain biking. But any activity where there’s a chance of contact warrants protection.
A good mouthguard does three things:
- It cushions teeth from impact
- It protects the jaw from fracture
- It can even reduce concussion risk by absorbing some of the force.
The Problem With Store-Bought Mouthguards
Store-bought mouthguards fall into two categories: stock and boil-and-bite.
Stock mouthguards come pre-formed. You take them out of the package and put them in. They’re cheap, but they rarely fit well. They can slip around, make it hard to talk or breathe, and often get uncomfortable enough that people stop wearing them.
Boil-and-bite mouthguards are a step up. You heat them in water, then bite into them to create a rough impression of your teeth. They fit better than stock guards, but they still have limits. The material is often thinner, and the fit isn’t precise. They can loosen over time, and the protection isn’t evenly distributed.
Both types are one-size-fits-all. Your mouth is not one-size-fits-all. When a guard doesn’t fit your teeth properly, it can shift during play, and a mouthguard that moves around isn’t protecting you the way it should.
What Makes a Custom Mouthguard Different
A custom mouthguard is made from an exact impression or digital scan of your teeth. That means it fits only you: snugly, comfortably, and securely.
At Great Basin Dental, we take that impression right in our office. We then professionally fabricate the mouthguard using high-quality materials that are thicker where you need impact protection, yet comfortable enough to wear for an entire game.
Here’s what that precision buys you:
- Better protection: A custom guard stays in place and absorbs impact evenly across your teeth and jaw.
- Better comfort: No bulky edges, no gagging, no constant adjusting. You can breathe and speak normally.
- Better durability: Custom guards are made to last. With proper care, they can hold up for multiple seasons.
- Better compliance: The best mouthguard in the world does nothing if you don’t wear it. Custom guards are so comfortable that athletes actually keep them in.
Which One Is Right for You?
For casual backyard play, a boil-and-bite guard might be fine. But if you’re playing organized sports, especially contact sports, a custom mouthguard is worth the investment.
Replacing a knocked-out tooth, fixing a fractured jaw, or paying for emergency dental work costs far more than a custom mouthguard. And that’s not counting the pain, the time off the field, and the long-term dental issues that can follow a serious injury.
Protect Your Smile This Season
Whether you’re a parent gearing up for youth football or an adult who loves weekend hockey, we’d love to help you get the right protection. Dr. Sievert and Dr. Guillen can create a custom mouthguard that fits perfectly and stands up to whatever your sport throws at you.
Call our Reno office or request an appointment online. Your smile is worth protecting, and we’ll make sure it’s protected well.