13020 W. Rancho Santa Fe Blvd., Suite 102 Avondale, AZ 85392
Serving Avondale and the West Valley
Serving Avondale and the West Valley
Sports-related blows to the mouth, face, and jaw are far more common than many athletes realize. Even a seemingly minor collision can chip a tooth, tear soft tissue, or cause a jaw injury that requires urgent care. For players at every level — from youth leagues to adult recreational teams — a mouthguard is one of the simplest and most effective pieces of protective equipment available. It absorbs and disperses force, reducing the likelihood of fractures, lacerations, and dental displacement.
Beyond the immediate damage to teeth, oral injuries can produce long-term consequences such as root damage, tooth loss, and chronic pain that affects eating and speech. Protecting the mouth during contact sports also helps prevent injuries to the lips, cheeks, and tongue that can occur when teeth are suddenly pushed together. Coaches, parents, and athletes who prioritize mouth protection are investing in both short-term safety and a healthier future for the smile.
When discussing mouth protection with patients, it’s helpful to focus on practical outcomes: fewer emergency trips, less invasive dental work, and a lower chance of permanent tooth loss. The goal is not to eliminate all risk — that would be impossible — but to significantly lower the odds of preventable trauma. For families and competitive athletes in Avondale and the surrounding communities, thoughtful mouthguard use is a smart part of any safety plan.
There are three main categories of sports mouthguards available today, and each offers a different balance of convenience, fit, and protection. Stock mouthguards are pre-formed and ready to wear straight from the package; they are often the least expensive option and can be suitable for very casual use, but they typically fit poorly and can interfere with breathing and speech. Boil-and-bite guards improve on stock models by allowing the wearer to soften the material in hot water and then form it around the teeth for a closer fit.
Custom-fitted mouthguards, made by a dental professional from impressions of the patient’s mouth, provide the best combination of comfort and protection. These are precisely contoured to the wearer’s dental anatomy, which improves stability during play and reduces movement that can undermine cushioning. For athletes who participate in high-impact or contact sports, a custom guard also preserves normal breathing and speech patterns, which can enhance performance and compliance.
Choosing the right type depends on the athlete’s age, the sport’s risk level, and any existing dental conditions. While store-bought options offer a level of protection in a pinch, patients should understand the limitations of one-size-fits-most products. For long-term use and optimal injury prevention, clinicians often recommend considering a professionally made guard as the preferred solution.
A custom mouthguard begins with a brief clinical visit in which the dental team takes an impression or digital scan of the teeth. This step captures the precise shape of the dental arches so that the final appliance fits snugly without unnecessary bulk. Modern labs use layered materials designed to absorb impact while maintaining a slim profile, so a custom guard feels less intrusive than many over-the-counter alternatives.
The fabrication process focuses on both fit and function. Technicians build the guard to cradle the teeth and protect soft tissues while allowing unrestricted breathing. Athletes often notice a significant difference in comfort compared with stock or boil-and-bite options. Because a custom guard is tailored to the individual, it also minimizes unwanted movement during play, which reduces fatigue and distraction.
Follow-up is a routine part of this process: the dental team will check the fit and make any necessary fine adjustments. A properly fitted custom mouthguard requires only basic care to remain effective — daily rinsing after use, storage in a ventilated case, and periodic checks for wear or changes in fit. Regular dental visits are an ideal opportunity to confirm the guard continues to protect as intended, especially for growing athletes.
Athletes with orthodontic appliances or recent dental restorations need tailored protection. Braces create additional risks because wires and brackets can cause severe soft-tissue injuries during impact; conventional mouthguards may not fit properly over fixed appliances. In these situations, a specially designed mouthguard offers extra padding and a buffer that protects both the teeth and the brackets from direct blows, while also reducing the risk of oral cuts.
Patients with implants, crowns, or bridges also benefit from a customized approach. A mouthguard can be engineered to distribute force away from vulnerable restorations and to accommodate the exact contours of prosthetic work so that pressure is not concentrated on a single tooth or implant. This reduces the likelihood of damage to restorative treatments and helps preserve the long-term success of dental investments.
Because dental circumstances vary greatly, it’s important that athletes bring details about their oral history to the consultation. The dental team can recommend materials and design choices that account for appliances, prior trauma, or special medical considerations. This personalized planning ensures the mouthguard supports both protection and the ongoing goals of the patient’s dental care.
Proper care extends the life of a mouthguard and keeps it hygienic and effective. After each use, rinse the guard thoroughly with cool water and allow it to air dry before storing it in a ventilated container. Avoid exposing the guard to high heat or direct sunlight, which can distort the material. Periodically clean the guard with a soft toothbrush and mild, non-abrasive soap or a manufacturer-recommended cleaner to remove bacteria and odors.
Even with good care, mouthguards are subject to wear and may need replacement. Visible thinning, holes, tears, or a change in how the guard fits are clear indicators that the appliance no longer provides adequate protection. For growing children and adolescents, changes in tooth position and jaw development will affect fit over time, and more frequent replacement may be necessary to maintain safety.
Schedule a check during routine dental visits so clinicians can assess the guard’s condition and recommend a replacement schedule tailored to the athlete’s activity level and dental status. Well-timed replacements and professional guidance help ensure that a mouthguard continues to offer reliable protection season after season.
Sports mouthguards reduce the force transferred to teeth, gums and the jaw during impact and lower the risk of fractures, avulsions and soft-tissue lacerations. They also help prevent secondary problems such as root damage, chronic pain and the need for complex restorative care after an injury. By absorbing and dispersing energy, a properly fitted mouthguard decreases the likelihood of emergency dental visits and long-term oral health consequences.
Beyond protecting hard tissues, mouthguards cushion the lips, cheeks and tongue from being cut when teeth are driven together by a blow. For youth and adult athletes alike, consistent use is an effective, evidence-backed measure to preserve oral health over time. Coaches, parents and players should consider mouthguards part of a comprehensive safety plan tailored to the sport and level of contact.
Stock mouthguards come ready to wear but are bulkier and often provide a poor fit, which can impair breathing and speech and reduce protective performance. Boil-and-bite models improve fit by allowing the wearer to mold softened material around the teeth, but their adaptation is limited by the technique and the material quality. Custom mouthguards are fabricated from impressions or digital scans and deliver superior fit, stability and comfort because they are contoured to the wearer’s dental anatomy.
The right balance between convenience and protection depends on the athlete’s needs and level of play; store-bought options may suffice for low-contact activities, while custom guards are the preferred choice for high-impact sports. Custom appliances minimize unwanted movement during activity, which enhances both protection and compliance. Understanding these trade-offs helps patients select the most appropriate solution for sustained use.
The process begins with an impression or a digital scan that captures the exact shape of the teeth and dental arches so the lab can build an appliance with precise contours. Technicians then construct the guard from layered materials engineered to absorb impact while remaining slim enough to allow natural breathing and speech. The goal is a snug, stable fit that cradles the teeth and protects soft tissues without unnecessary bulk.
During a follow-up visit the clinician checks fit and function and makes minor adjustments as needed to ensure comfort and retention during play. The office of Summit Family Dentistry uses this clinical verification step to confirm that the appliance performs as intended under typical athletic conditions. Periodic reassessment is recommended, particularly for growing athletes or after dental changes.
Athletes with braces face a higher risk of soft-tissue injury from brackets and wires, making mouthguard protection especially important during sports. Specialized mouthguards can be designed to fit over orthodontic appliances, providing a protective buffer that reduces the chance of cuts and minimizes direct force on brackets. These guards are thicker in strategic areas to protect both the teeth and the orthodontic hardware without creating excessive pressure on any single tooth.
For patients with fixed appliances, clinicians tailor design and material choices to accommodate brackets and any ongoing adjustments. Regular monitoring ensures the appliance continues to fit as orthodontic treatment progresses. Discussing your treatment timeline and appliance details during the consultation helps the dental team recommend the most effective option.
After each use, rinse the mouthguard with cool water and allow it to air dry before placing it in a ventilated storage case to prevent bacterial growth. Periodically clean the guard with a soft toothbrush and mild, non-abrasive soap or a manufacturer-approved cleaner to remove debris and odors. Avoid exposing the appliance to hot water, direct sunlight or enclosed, warm environments that can distort its shape.
Inspect the mouthguard regularly for signs of wear such as thinning, tears or changes in fit, and bring it to routine dental visits so the clinician can evaluate its condition. Proper daily care extends usable life and maintains hygiene, while professional guidance helps you know when replacement is necessary. Storing the guard in a clean, ventilated case also reduces the risk of contamination between uses.
Mouthguards should be replaced when they show visible signs of wear such as holes, thinning areas, tears or distortion that affects fit and retention. Growing children and adolescents often require more frequent replacements because tooth eruption and jaw development change the dimensions of the dental arch. Even without obvious damage, a mouthguard that no longer fits snugly does not provide reliable protection and should be evaluated.
Routine dental appointments are an ideal time to have the guard checked and to establish a replacement schedule based on activity level and dental status. Athletes who play high-contact sports or who clench and grind during activity may need replacement more often. Professional assessment ensures the appliance continues to meet protective needs season after season.
Mouthguards are commonly made from thermoplastic materials, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) laminates or multilayered polymers that balance shock absorption with structural stability. Thinner, single-layer guards tend to be more comfortable but may offer less impact attenuation, while layered constructions provide enhanced energy dispersion without excessive bulk. Material selection also affects durability, flexibility and the appliance’s ability to maintain shape over time.
Laboratories often tailor material thickness and layering to the athlete’s needs and the sport’s contact level, creating targeted protection where it is most needed. Material choices also influence breathing and speech; high-quality custom guards are engineered to preserve airway function while maximizing cushioning. Discussing activity type and personal preferences with the dental team helps identify the best material profile.
Selecting the right mouthguard depends on the sport’s typical impact forces, the athlete’s age and dental status, and how often the guard will be used. High-contact sports such as football, hockey and martial arts generally call for custom or professionally formed guards to provide maximum protection and retention. For younger athletes or recreational players, a well-fitted boil-and-bite model can be a practical interim option if a custom appliance is not yet indicated.
Considerations such as ongoing orthodontic treatment, restorative work and breathing needs should factor into the decision. Consulting with your dental provider before the season starts ensures the appliance matches both safety requirements and comfort expectations. A tailored approach improves compliance and reduces the likelihood of preventable injuries.
A poorly fitting or overly bulky mouthguard can interfere with breathing and speech, which is why fit and design are critical for athletic performance. Custom-fitted guards are designed to preserve natural airway space and minimize interference, allowing athletes to breathe, communicate and perform with less distraction. Proper retention reduces the need to adjust the appliance during play, which can otherwise disrupt focus and endurance.
Choosing a guard that balances protection and low profile helps maintain comfort and performance during high-intensity activity. For athletes concerned about breathing, discussing design priorities with the dental team yields options that prioritize unobstructed airflow. Regular reassessment ensures the guard continues to meet both safety and performance needs as conditions change.
The practice offers professional evaluation and fitting services to determine whether a stock, boil-and-bite or custom mouthguard is the best fit for an athlete’s needs and dental history. During a consultation clinicians review sport exposure, dental restorations, orthodontic appliances and growth considerations to recommend the most appropriate design and material. A custom-fit option begins with an impression or digital scan and includes clinical verification to confirm comfort and retention.
Summit Family Dentistry provides follow-up care to assess fit over time and to make adjustments as needed so the guard performs reliably throughout the season. Patients are advised on daily care, storage and replacement indicators to preserve protection and hygiene. This coordinated approach helps athletes protect their smiles while staying focused on their sport.
Ready to schedule your next appointment or have questions about our services? Our friendly team is here to help with everything from booking visits to answering questions about your treatment options. We’re committed to making the process simple and stress-free.
Whether you prefer to give us a call or fill out our convenient online contact form, reaching us is quick and easy. Don’t wait to take the first step toward a healthier, more confident smile—contact Summit Family Dentistry today!
Back to top