A properly fitted mouthguard is an important piece of protective equipment for any athlete. According to the American Dental Association, mouthguards help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face, or jaw, and the best mouthguard is one custom made for your mouth by your dentist. At Club K Holistic Dental in Springfield, Missouri, we create custom sports mouthguards as part of our preventive dentistry services.
A custom guard is made from an impression or digital scan of your teeth, so it fits your teeth and bite and stays in place during play. Dr. Knapton also looks at your bite and jaw alignment when designing your guard. If you grind your teeth at night, a sports mouthguard is not the right tool; a custom night guard is made for that.
Experience comprehensive dental care that considers your overall health and wellness with natural treatment approaches.
The ADA calls a custom-made mouthguard the best option because it is made for your mouth by your dentist and individually created for fit and comfort. Stock mouthguards come pre-formed and are inexpensive, but the ADA notes they often do not fit very well and can be bulky and make breathing and talking difficult. Boil-and-bite guards, which you soften in water and mold to your teeth, may fit better than stock guards. If a custom guard is not an option, the ADA still recommends wearing a stock or boil-and-bite mouthguard rather than none at all.
A custom guard is made from an impression or digital scan of your teeth, which helps it stay secure instead of slipping, bunching, or getting in the way of your breathing during play. A guard that is comfortable is also one athletes are more likely to keep in during the moments protection matters most.
The Oral Health Foundation reports that athletes are 60 times more likely to suffer harm to their teeth if they do not wear a mouthguard. Common sports-related mouth injuries include:
A mouthguard helps cushion a blow to the face, which minimizes the risk of these injuries.
Custom-fitted sports mouthguards designed for protection and comfort.
At Club K Holistic Dental, we take a whole-body approach to sports mouthguards in Springfield. Dr. Knapton looks at how your mouthguard fits into your complete oral health picture, including your bite, jaw alignment, and any existing dental work, so your guard protects your teeth without adding unnecessary strain to your jaw.
Your custom guard is made from biocompatible materials. We also provide care instructions to help you keep it clean, because regular cleaning helps prevent bacterial buildup. Following the ADA’s tips, rinse your guard before and after each use, clean it in cool, soapy water, store it in a sturdy ventilated case, and never leave it in the sun or in hot water.
Contact sports such as football, hockey, and boxing carry the highest risk for the mouth, but the ADA notes that any athlete can have a dental injury, including in non-contact activities such as gymnastics and skating. Basketball players can take elbows to the face, baseball and softball players face fast-moving balls and collisions, and activities such as skateboarding and mountain biking carry a risk of falls and facial injuries.
Common scenarios include a ground ball taking an unexpected hop, two players colliding for a rebound, a cyclist going over the handlebars, a skateboarder landing face first, or a wrestler taking an accidental elbow or knee to the jaw.
Dental injuries can mean emergency visits and repair work over time, and wearing a mouthguard is a simple step toward protecting your teeth.
The ADA also notes that people with braces or fixed bridgework may especially benefit from a properly fitted mouthguard, and that retainers or other removable appliances should not be worn during contact sports. Talk with Dr. Knapton about the right guard for your situation.
The ADA says the best mouthguard is one custom made for your mouth by your dentist. Custom guards are made individually for fit and comfort, while stock guards come pre-formed and often do not fit well, and boil-and-bite guards are softened in water and molded at home. If a custom guard is not an option, the ADA still recommends wearing a stock or boil-and-bite guard instead of none.
Collision and contact sports are the highest risk, but the ADA notes that any athlete can have a dental injury, including in non-contact activities such as gymnastics and skating. Team sports such as football, basketball, baseball, and hockey, and activities such as skateboarding and mountain biking, are all good reasons to wear a mouthguard. Dr. Knapton can talk with you about the right guard for your sport.
No. The ADA notes that night guards are not the same as sports guards. A sports guard has extra cushioning for high-impact activities, which probably will not feel comfortable for sleep, while a night guard is designed to protect your teeth from grinding and clenching while you sleep. If you grind your teeth, ask about a custom night guard.
Rinse your mouthguard before and after each use, clean it regularly in cool, soapy water, and let it dry. Store it in a sturdy, ventilated case, and never leave it in the sun or in hot water. Bring it to your dental checkups so we can check the fit and wear. The ADA advises replacing a mouthguard right away if it shows wear, is damaged, or fits poorly, and children and teens may need replacements more often because their mouths are still growing.
At Club K Holistic Dental, custom sports mouthguards are made from biocompatible materials and fitted to your teeth and bite. Dr. Joshua Knapton holds a dual DMD and MBA from Roseman University of Health Sciences and is an active member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) and the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Your guard is made from an impression or digital scan so it fits precisely and stays securely in place.
We are a fee-for-service practice and are out of network with all insurers, though our team can submit documentation for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Financing is available through Sunbit and Cherry Pay. Contact our office to schedule your fitting in Springfield, Missouri.
✓ 0% APR Financing Available
✓ No Insurance Required
✓ Dental Warranty Available
✓ Family Coverage
"*" indicates required fields
Your information is kept confidential and will only be used for processing this submission in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
