Preventive Dentistry
Custom Mouth Guards in Gladstone
Protection that fits like it was made for you, because it was.
Whether the threat is a stray elbow on the court or grinding in your sleep, a well-fitted guard helps keep your teeth out of harm’s way.
Exceptional Dentistry in Gladstone, MO
Why a custom guard is worth it
Mouth guards come in two broad families. Sports guards are worn during games and practice to absorb and spread the force of a hit, helping protect the teeth, lips and jaw. Night guards are worn while you sleep, placing a smooth barrier between the upper and lower teeth so that grinding and clenching wear on the guard instead of your enamel. Store-bought guards are available for both, but they are made to fit everyone and so fit no one exactly; they can feel bulky, slip out of place or make it hard to talk and breathe. A custom guard is made from a precise impression of your own teeth, so it stays put, feels slimmer and is easier to actually wear.
Types of guards
Choosing the right protection
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Athletic mouth guards
For contact sports and any activity where a fall or a hit to the face is possible, from football and hockey to skateboarding and basketball.
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Night guards for grinding
For people who grind or clench while sleeping, a habit that can wear, chip or crack teeth and leave the jaw sore in the morning.
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Guards for jaw strain
When clenching is tied to jaw discomfort, a guard is often part of a wider plan. Learn more about TMJ Treatment.
The process
Getting your custom guard
- Your dentist examines your teeth and bite and talks with you about how the guard will be used
- An impression or digital impression of your teeth is taken
- Your guard is made to match that impression
- You try the guard on at a fitting visit, and it is adjusted until it sits snugly and feels right
- You get simple instructions for cleaning and storing the guard
New patient special
$98
A $308 value for your first visit
Visiting us for the first time? Our new patient offer includes:
- Comprehensive exam
- Panoramic X-rays
- Bitewing digital X-rays
- Intraoral photos
- Smile evaluation
- Full gum evaluation
- Oral cancer screening
- TMJ and bite evaluation
- Review of your treatment options
- A written treatment plan
Snoring and sleep apnea are a different job
A night guard for grinding is not designed to treat snoring or sleep apnea. Those conditions call for a different kind of oral appliance, one that gently positions the jaw to help keep the airway open. If you or your partner have noticed loud snoring or pauses in breathing at night, read about sleep apnea treatment and mention it at your visit.
Caring for your mouth guard
Rinse your guard after each use, brush it gently with a soft toothbrush, and let it dry before storing it in its ventilated case. Keep it away from heat, which can warp it, and bring it to your checkups so your dentist can make sure it still fits well. If you do chip or crack a tooth, see tooth injury treatment.
Book your visit
Protect your smile
Ready for a guard that you will actually want to wear? Book online or call our office to get started.
The short answer
A mouth guard is a removable appliance worn over the teeth to protect them, either during sports or while you sleep. A custom guard is made from an impression or digital impression of your own teeth, then tried on and adjusted at a fitting visit until it sits snugly. Sports guards help absorb and spread the force of a hit to the face, while night guards place a barrier between the upper and lower teeth so grinding and clenching wear on the guard instead of your enamel.
Mouth Guards FAQ
- Why not just buy a guard at a sporting goods store?
- A store-bought guard can work, but it is made to fit everyone, so it often fits loosely and feels bulky. A loose guard can slip out of place or make it hard to talk and breathe, which makes people less likely to wear it. A custom guard is shaped from an impression of your own teeth, so it stays put and feels slimmer. A guard only does its job when it is actually being worn.
- Can I wear a mouth guard with braces?
- Yes, you can wear a mouth guard with braces, and it is a good idea for sports. A hit to the face can injure both the teeth and the lips and cheeks that press against the brackets. Braces also change the shape of the teeth as treatment goes on, so the guard needs to allow for that. Your dentist can advise you on the right option while you have braces.
- How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
- The most common clues are a sore jaw or headache in the morning, worn or flattened teeth, and a partner hearing grinding sounds at night. Because grinding happens during sleep, many people do not know they do it. Your dentist can often see signs of wear on the teeth during an exam. If grinding is found, a night guard can help reduce the damage it causes.
- Do kids need custom mouth guards?
- Children who play contact sports benefit from mouth guard protection, and a custom guard is often easier for them to keep in. A guard that fits well is less likely to slip out during play. Because a child’s mouth is still changing as teeth come in and the jaw grows, the fit will not stay the same. Your dentist will check the guard at visits and let you know when it needs to be remade.
- How often should a mouth guard be replaced?
- A mouth guard should be replaced when it becomes loose, cracked or misshapen. How long it lasts depends on how much it is worn and, for children, on how quickly the mouth is growing. Bringing the guard to your checkups lets your dentist look at it and test the fit. Keeping it clean, dry and away from heat also helps it hold its shape.
Your dentist
Meet Dr. Emily Marx
A skilled family dentist, Dr. Marx is passionate about helping patients feel comfortable while achieving their best smile. Meet Dr. Marx
