Sports Guards and Night Guards Are Not the Same Thing
The right guard depends on what you are protecting your teeth from. A sports guard is thick and cushioned to spread out the force of a blow. A night guard, also called an occlusal guard, is firm and thin to keep your teeth from grinding against each other while you sleep.
A night guard is not shock-absorbent. Wearing one during a game leaves your teeth almost unprotected from impact, and a sports guard is too bulky and soft for a full night of grinding. The BlueDot Dental team makes both kinds at BlueDot Dental, and we help you choose the one that matches the job.
Why a Custom Fit Beats the Drugstore Shelf
Boil-and-bite guards fit loosely and cover the teeth unevenly, so athletes clench to hold them in place. Off-the-shelf night guards often sit only on the front teeth and can shift your bite over time. A custom guard made from a digital scan of your own teeth seats firmly and covers every tooth evenly. Because it fits, people actually wear it.
Custom Guards We Make
Athletic Mouth Guards
For football, basketball, hockey, martial arts, mountain biking, or any activity with a chance of contact. We can add front thickness for high-impact sports and match team colors.
Night Guards for Grinding
A hard or dual-laminate acrylic guard protects enamel, fillings, crowns, and veneers from grinding and eases overnight strain on jaw muscles. Grinding with jaw pain or headaches may also call for TMJ treatment.
Guard Checkups
At your regular visits we look for cracks, thin spots, and fit changes, especially after new dental work, and tell you when it is time for a replacement.
What to Expect When You Get a Custom Guard
Exam and Goal
We ask what you need the guard for and look at tooth wear, existing restorations, and how your bite comes together.
Digital Scan
Our 3Shape scanner captures your teeth in a few minutes with no impression trays. The scan goes to the lab with instructions for thickness and design.
Fabrication
The lab builds the guard to the scan. Sports guards usually take about a week, and night guards slightly longer.
Fit and Adjust
Our team trims and polishes any tight or high spots so the guard seats comfortably from the first night or first practice.
Wear, Bite, and Existing Dental Work
Before making a night guard, we check for flattened edges and cracks that point to heavy grinding, and confirm the guard will not put uneven pressure on crowns, bridges, implants, or veneers. If you are planning restorations or orthodontics, we time the guard so it fits the teeth you will have.
Using and Caring for Your Guard
- Rinse with cool water after every use and brush gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap
- Skip hot water, which can warp the material
- Store it dry in its ventilated case, out of reach of dogs
- Bring it to your dental visits so we can check the fit
Instructions for a new night guard are on our occlusal guard post-op care page.
A Mouth Guard Is One Layer of Protection
A guard reduces the risk of broken teeth and cut lips, but no appliance stops every injury. If you or your child takes a hit to the mouth:
- Check for loose, moved, or missing teeth
- Look for bleeding that does not stop with pressure
- Note any change in how the teeth fit together
- Save any broken pieces in milk or saliva
- Call us the same day, or visit our emergency dentistry page for after-hours guidance
Young Athletes and Growing Mouths
Kids need protection as much as adults, and their guards need replacing more often because their mouths are changing. We fit guards for children with baby teeth, mixed dentition, and braces, and can check them at routine pediatric dentistry visits.
Questions, Answered
Custom Mouth Guard FAQs
Can I Wear My Night Guard for Sports?
No. A night guard is hard and thin, so it does not cushion impact. For contact sports you need a separate athletic guard designed to absorb force.
Why Not Just Buy One at the Store?
Store guards fit poorly, feel bulky, and are easy to abandon. A custom guard stays put and gives even protection, and it is the only option we recommend for grinding.
How Often Does a Guard Need Replacing?
Growing kids often need a new sports guard each season, while adults get a few seasons. Night guards typically last two to five years depending on how hard you grind.
What Is the Best Way to Clean It?
Cool water, a soft brush, and mild soap after each use. Avoid toothpaste, which is abrasive, and never soak it in hot water or mouthwash containing alcohol.
Will a Night Guard Make Me Stop Grinding?
It protects your teeth from grinding damage and can reduce muscle soreness, but it does not turn off the habit itself. If grinding is severe, we look at stress, sleep, and jaw joint health too.
Do Children Really Need a Mouth Guard?
Yes, if they play a sport with any chance of contact. A custom guard costs far less than repairing a broken front tooth.