Precision Dental Arts in Clairemont Mesa provides custom mouthguards for two very different groups of patients: athletes who need to protect their teeth during contact sports, and people who grind or clench their teeth at night without even realizing it. The protection each group needs is real, and the over-the-counter options available at a drugstore fall short in ways that matter — both for safety and for long-term dental health.
Whether you are gearing up for fall football or waking up with a sore jaw every morning, a properly fitted mouthguard from your dentist is a low-cost, high-impact way to prevent damage that would be much more expensive to repair later.
Athletes: The Sports That Put Teeth at Risk
Dental injuries are among the most common sports-related injuries, particularly in contact and collision sports. According to the American Dental Association, athletes who do not wear mouthguards are twice as likely to suffer a mouth or face injury as those who do, and 75% of orofacial sports injuries occur when an athlete is not wearing one. The front teeth take the majority of the impact — roughly 80% of traumatic dental injuries affect the upper front teeth.
Football, basketball, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, and martial arts are among the sports with the highest rates of dental trauma. But any sport with the possibility of contact — whether with another player, a ball, the ground, or equipment — carries some risk. Fall sports season in San Diego brings a surge of high school and adult league players back onto the field, and that is also when dental injuries typically spike. A well-fitted mouthguard does not just cushion a blow; it distributes impact force and helps protect the jaw joint as well as the teeth.
Night Grinders: What Bruxism Does to Your Teeth
Bruxism — the clinical term for teeth grinding and jaw clenching — affects an estimated 8% to 10% of adults, according to research published by Cleveland Clinic. Many people grind at night without knowing it; the first signs are often noticed by a partner or picked up during a routine dental exam when the dentist sees wear patterns on the teeth.
The symptoms extend beyond the mouth. Morning headaches, jaw soreness, ear pain, and muscle tightness in the face and neck are all common. Left untreated, bruxism gradually wears down tooth enamel, increases sensitivity, and can crack or fracture teeth that otherwise look healthy. Over time, it can also stress the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), contributing to the clicking, locking, and chronic pain associated with TMJ disorder. A night guard does not stop the grinding reflex, but it absorbs the force and creates a barrier that prevents tooth surfaces from wearing against each other. If you have been ignoring jaw or tooth pain, that is worth addressing soon.
Custom vs. Off-the-Shelf: Why the Fit Matters
Boil-and-bite mouthguards from a drugstore cost $15 to $35 and offer some protection — but the fit is limited by the fact that they are not made from an exact impression of your teeth. They tend to be bulky, can shift during use, and may not stay in place under significant impact. Research consistently shows that custom guards provide better force distribution and stay reliably in position in a way that generic guards do not.
A custom mouthguard made at a dental office starts with either a physical impression or a digital scan of your teeth. The guard is then fabricated from a dental-grade material to precise specifications — the right thickness for your sport or your grinding pattern, and a fit that stays put because it is designed for your exact arch. Custom guards typically last one to three years depending on how hard you grind or how often you use them. That durability makes the cost difference more reasonable when you consider that boil-and-bite guards need to be replaced every few months. The ADA recommends professionally fitted mouthguards for contact sport participants of all ages, noting that mouthguard design significantly affects protection level. Our FAQ page has more on what to expect from dental appliances.
Get Fitted for a Custom Mouthguard
Whether you are an athlete heading into fall sports season or someone who has been waking up with jaw pain, getting a custom mouthguard at Precision Dental Arts takes one short appointment and lasts for years.
Book a Consultation or call us at (858) 560-1996.
What Getting a Mouthguard at Precision Dental Arts Involves
The process is straightforward and typically completed in one or two short visits. At the first appointment, your dentist takes either physical impressions or a digital scan of your upper and lower teeth. For most custom mouthguards, only the upper arch needs to be fitted, though night guards sometimes cover both. The impressions are sent to a dental lab where the guard is fabricated to precise specifications, and you return in a week or two to pick it up and verify the fit.
If you are a patient who already comes in for regular checkups, your dentist may recommend a mouthguard during your routine exam after noticing early signs of wear or grinding. That is one reason why consistent preventive care pays off — problems get caught before they require more significant intervention. If gum health or existing fillings are a concern, the dentist will factor that into the design. You can also read about how fillings hold up over time on our post about how long tooth fillings last and why protecting them matters.
How Long They Last and How to Care for Them
A sports mouthguard for an adult who has finished growing can last two to three years with consistent use and proper care. Night guards for bruxism patients typically last one to five years depending on grinding severity — heavy grinders may wear through a guard faster, and that is actually a sign the guard is doing its job. Children and teenagers in active growth should have their mouthguards checked annually because jaw and tooth development can change the fit.
Caring for a mouthguard is simple: rinse it with cool water before and after use, clean it occasionally with a toothbrush and mild soap, and store it in a ventilated case. Avoid leaving it in a hot car or direct sunlight, as heat can warp the material. Bring it to your dental appointments so your dentist can check for wear and confirm the fit is still accurate. Good care also protects existing crowns and fillings from grinding forces that could otherwise crack or dislodge them. For anyone wondering whether gum health factors into mouthguard selection, it does — your dentist will account for gum condition in the design and fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does insurance cover custom mouthguards?
Coverage varies by plan. Many dental insurance plans cover at least a portion of a night guard for bruxism when there is documented clinical evidence of grinding — such as visible tooth wear — because it is considered a medically necessary appliance. Sports mouthguards are less consistently covered but worth checking. Our team will verify your benefits before your appointment so you know what to expect. Out-of-pocket costs for a custom guard typically range from $400 to $600 at a dental office.
How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
The most common signs are jaw soreness or stiffness when you wake up, morning headaches that feel like tension headaches, teeth that are becoming flattened or chipped without any obvious cause, and increased tooth sensitivity. Your dentist can identify wear patterns during an exam that are characteristic of grinding, even if you have no symptoms yet. If a partner has mentioned hearing grinding sounds during the night, that is a strong indicator as well.
Can kids get custom mouthguards?
Yes. Children who play contact sports should absolutely wear mouthguards, and a custom-fitted option is the most protective choice. Because children’s mouths are still developing, mouthguards for younger patients need to be checked and replaced more frequently — typically every season or every year — to account for tooth growth and jaw development. For bruxism in children, a pediatric dentist or general dentist can evaluate whether a night guard is appropriate based on the severity of the grinding.
How long does the mouthguard appointment take?
The impression or scan appointment takes about 15 to 30 minutes. You return one to two weeks later for a brief fitting appointment to confirm the guard sits correctly and feels comfortable. Total chair time is minimal — this is one of the simpler dental services available, and the protection it provides far outweighs the time investment. Most patients are in and out of each appointment in under half an hour.