Your teeth are tougher than they look, but they aren’t indestructible. Whether you play recreational sports on weekends, help your child gear up for a contact sport, or wake up with a sore jaw from grinding your teeth at night, a mouthguard can make the difference between a smile that stays intact and one that requires significant dental work. The good news is that protecting your teeth doesn’t have to be complicated.
At Precision Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we provide custom-fitted mouthguards for patients of all ages in New Smyrna Beach and the surrounding area. As part of our general dentistry care, mouthguards are one of those simple, proactive solutions that can save you a tremendous amount of time, expense, and discomfort down the road. We take the time to understand your specific situation before recommending the right type of guard for you.
Request an AppointmentWhy Are Mouthguards Necessary?
A mouthguard is a protective appliance that covers your teeth and gums, cushioning the impact of blows, reducing friction from grinding, and absorbing forces that would otherwise be transmitted directly to your teeth, jaw, and surrounding tissues. They’re used in two primary contexts: athletic activity and nighttime teeth grinding, also known as bruxism.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has long advocated for mouthguard use in contact sports, noting that dental and orofacial injuries occur regularly in youth athletics and that participation in sports carries a meaningful risk of facial trauma when proper protective equipment isn’t worn. That’s true for adults, too. A properly fitted mouthguard distributes and absorbs impact in a way that generic, store-bought options simply can’t match.
Sports Mouthguards
If you or your child participates in any contact or collision sport, a custom sports mouthguard is one of the most worthwhile investments you can make. Football, basketball, soccer, martial arts, lacrosse, and hockey are among the most common sports associated with dental injuries. Still, any activity that involves a risk of falls or contact also qualifies.
Custom-fabricated mouthguards fit your mouth precisely because they’re made from impressions of your actual teeth. That means they stay securely in place during activity, allow for natural breathing and communication, and offer far superior protection compared to one-size-fits-all options purchased at a sporting goods store. A poorly fitting mouthguard is one that rarely gets worn, which defeats the purpose entirely.
Who Should Wear a Sports Mouthguard?
Many sports carry a higher risk of orofacial injury than people realize. The following groups in particular benefit from wearing a properly fitted guard:
- Children and teens participating in organized contact sports
- Adult recreational athletes in high-impact activities
- Patients with orthodontic appliances, dental implants, or restorative work
- Anyone with a history of dental trauma or jaw injury
A well-fitted mouthguard isn’t just about protecting individual teeth. It also helps protect the jaw joint and surrounding soft tissue, reducing the likelihood of lacerations, fractures, and even concussions in certain contexts.
Nightguards for Bruxism
Teeth grinding is more common than most people realize, and it often goes unnoticed because it typically happens during sleep. Many patients don’t know they grind their teeth until a dentist identifies significant enamel wear, or until a partner mentions the sound at night. Others notice the symptoms themselves: waking up with jaw soreness or tension, frequent headaches, or increasingly sensitive teeth.
Left unaddressed, bruxism can cause serious damage over time. Enamel erosion, cracked teeth, and jaw dysfunction are all potential consequences of chronic grinding. A custom nightguard creates a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, preventing direct tooth-to-tooth contact and allowing the jaw muscles to relax through the night.
The nightguards we provide are far more comfortable and durable than over-the-counter options. Because they’re custom-made to fit your mouth, they stay in place without bulkiness or discomfort, making it far easier to wear them consistently.
Custom vs. Over-the-Counter Mouthguards
It’s worth addressing why a professionally made mouthguard is so different from what you can pick up at a pharmacy or sporting goods store. Store-bought guards fall into two categories: stock mouthguards that come pre-formed, and boil-and-bite guards that soften in hot water and partially mold to your teeth.
While these options are accessible and inexpensive, they come with real trade-offs. They tend to fit loosely, making them difficult to keep in place and potentially interfering with breathing. They also provide inconsistent coverage and cushioning, which limits their protective value. For patients with specific dental considerations, including crowns, bridges, implants, or orthodontic treatment, a proper fit is especially important.
Custom mouthguards are fabricated in a dental lab from impressions taken of your teeth. The result is an appliance that fits snugly, covers all the right areas, and holds up over time with proper care. If you’re unsure about insurance or financing options for custom mouthguards, we’re happy to walk you through what your plan covers and the flexible payment options available.
Precision Cosmetic & Family Dentistry: Mouthguards for the Whole Family
At Precision Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we take pride in caring for patients from childhood through adulthood, which means we understand how protective dental needs evolve at every stage of life. Our team is attentive, thorough, and genuinely invested in helping you and your family maintain healthy, protected smiles for the long haul. We accept a wide range of insurance plans, including Delta Dental PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, MetLife, Humana, Guardian, and others, and we also offer financing through CareCredit and Cherry, as well as an in-house membership plan that includes exams, X-rays, and cleanings for $299 per year.
Whether you’re looking to protect a young athlete, address nighttime grinding, or simply take a proactive step toward preserving your dental health, we’re here to help. Reach out today to schedule an appointment through our contact form, and we’ll make sure you leave with the right solution for your smile.