Why Custom Mouthguards Matter

Store-bought mouthguards might seem convenient, but they simply cannot match the protection and comfort of custom sports mouthguards. When you visit our Charleston dental practice for an athletic mouthguard fitting, we take precise impressions of your teeth to create a perfectly fitted oral appliance. This custom approach ensures the mouthguard stays securely in place during intense activity, provides maximum protection to vulnerable areas, and allows for comfortable breathing and speaking.

Custom-made athletic mouthguards distribute impact forces more effectively than generic alternatives. This proper distribution helps prevent dental trauma and reduces the risk of serious injuries, such as tooth fractures, dislocations, or complete tooth loss. Athletes wearing properly fitted mouthguards are significantly less likely to experience dental emergencies that could sideline them from their favorite sports.

Protection Beyond Teeth

Sports mouthguards protect more than just your teeth during athletic activities. A professionally designed mouthguard from Charleston, WV dentists also helps safeguard your lips, cheeks, and tongue from lacerations caused by teeth during impacts. Custom mouthguards even provide some protection against concussions by absorbing shock and reducing the force transferred to the jaw and skull.

For athletes with braces or other dental appliances, custom mouthguards are especially important. Our dental specialists design mouthguards that accommodate orthodontic work while still providing comprehensive protection. This prevents damage to both your dental appliances and your oral tissues during sports activities.

The Custom Mouthguard Process

When you visit Simpson Dental for a custom sports mouthguard in Charleston, you’ll experience our thorough, patient-focused approach. Our dentists begin with a comprehensive evaluation of your oral structure, discussing your specific sport and protection needs. We then take precise digital impressions that capture every contour of your teeth and gums, ensuring the final product fits perfectly.

Using our on-site dental lab, we create personalized mouthguards with high-quality, durable materials designed to withstand the rigors of your specific sport. This convenient setup often allows for same-day mouthguard services, enabling you to return to your athletic pursuits quickly. When your mouthguard is ready, we’ll ensure it fits perfectly with adjustments as needed for maximum comfort and protection.

Personalization Options

At Simpson Dental, we understand that athletes want protection that reflects their style. Our custom mouthguards are available in a variety of colors and designs, allowing you to coordinate with your team colors or express your individual personality. This personalization helps younger athletes, especially, feel more excited about wearing their protective gear consistently.

The thickness and material of your custom mouthguard will vary depending on your specific sport. Contact sports, such as football, hockey, and boxing, require thicker, more robust protection. At the same time, less contact-intensive activities may allow for a slightly thinner design that facilitates easier breathing and communication on the field.

Maintaining Your Athletic Mouthguard

Proper mouthguard care extends its lifespan and maintains its protective qualities. After each use, rinse your mouthguard with cool water and clean it with a toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Store it in a ventilated case to prevent bacterial growth and keep it away from heat sources that could cause the custom fit to warp.

Bring your mouthguard to regular dental checkups at our Charleston dental clinic, where we can inspect it for signs of wear and determine if replacement is necessary. Most athletic mouthguards need replacement every 1-2 seasons, depending on use frequency and the athlete’s growth (especially important for youth athletes whose mouths are still developing).

Sports Mouthguards for Children and Teens

Youth sports protection is particularly critical as children’s permanent teeth are still developing. A properly fitted mouthguard from our Charleston family dentistry practice helps protect young athletes’ smiles during their most active years. We take special care to ensure children’s mouthguards accommodate growing mouths while providing comprehensive protection.

For parents seeking dental protection for children involved in sports, starting early with professional-grade mouth protection establishes essential safety habits. Our dental team works closely with young athletes to ensure they understand the importance of consistently wearing their mouthguards and properly caring for them between games and practices.

Custom v. “Boil and Bite” Mouthguards

While over-the-counter “boil and bite” mouthguards are widely available, they provide significantly less protection than custom options. These generic guards often fit poorly, causing discomfort that discourages consistent wear. Their bulky design can restrict breathing and speech, potentially affecting athletic performance.

Custom mouthguards designed by our West Virginia dental care team are tailored to fit your unique oral structure precisely. This precision ensures they stay in place during activity, protect vulnerable areas effectively, and remain comfortable enough that athletes actually wear them consistently—the most important factor in preventing sports-related dental injuries.

Schedule Your Mouthguard Fitting Today

Protect your smile while enhancing your athletic performance with custom sports mouthguards from Simpson Dental. Our Charleston dental practice combines over 75 years of dedicated family dentistry experience with advanced technology to create the perfect mouthguard for your specific needs. Dr. Mark Simpson and Dr. Christen Simpson Raynes lead our team in providing exceptional care that athletes throughout West Virginia have trusted for generations.

Contact Simpson Dental today at (304) 342-6162 or complete a contact form to schedule your professional mouthguard fitting. With our on-site dental lab and commitment to same-day services, we can help you get back in the game quickly with the confidence that comes from knowing your smile is fully protected.