Whether you’re playing hockey, boxing, or simply grinding your teeth at night, your smile is at risk. One of the most effective ways to protect your teeth, gums, and jaw is by using a mouthguard. This small, simple device can prevent serious injuriessaving you from painful dental emergencies and costly procedures.
At McLevin Dental, we help patients across Scarborough protect their smiles with custom-fit mouthguards designed for comfort, performance, and safety. Heres everything you need to know about how to use a mouthguard to prevent dental injuries.
What Is a Mouthguard?
A mouthguard is a protective oral appliance that covers your teeth and gums to absorb shock and reduce impact during physical activity or while sleeping. It acts as a cushion, protecting teeth from being chipped, broken, or knocked out, and also reduces the risk of soft tissue damage, jaw injuries, and concussions.
There are three main types of mouthguards:
Stock mouthguards: Pre-formed, inexpensive, but often bulky and poorly fitted
Boil-and-bite mouthguards: Mouldable at home for a semi-custom fit
Custom mouthguards: Professionally made by a dentist for maximum protection and comfort
For optimal safety and comfort, custom mouthguards made at dental clinics like McLevin Dental are strongly recommended.
Who Should Wear a Mouthguard?
Mouthguards are essential for individuals engaged in:
Contact sports like football, hockey, rugby, basketball, and lacrosse
Combat sports such as boxing, MMA, or wrestling
High-impact recreational activities like skateboarding, BMX, skiing, or rock climbing
Bruxism suffererspeople who grind or clench their teeth during sleep
Anyone with braces or dental appliances involved in physical activity
Both children and adults benefit from wearing mouthguards. In fact, many sports leagues and schools require them as part of safety regulations.
How Mouthguards Prevent Injury
Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard can prevent:
1. Tooth Fractures or Knockouts
Mouthguards distribute the force of sudden impacts, reducing the risk of teeth being chipped, cracked, or completely avulsed (knocked out).
2. Lip and Cheek Lacerations
The soft lining of your mouth can be cut by your teeth during falls or collisions. A mouthguard provides a buffer to prevent internal injuries.
3. Jaw Fractures and TMJ Injuries
By absorbing shock, a mouthguard protects your jaw joints and minimizes the risk of fractures or long-term TMJ dysfunction after impact.
4. Concussions (to a degree)
While not a replacement for helmets, some studies suggest mouthguards help reduce the severity of concussions by stabilizing the jaw and head during impact.
5. Bruxism Damage
For nighttime teeth grinders, mouthguards (often called nightguards) prevent enamel wear, jaw pain, and cracked dental restorations.
How to Use a Mouthguard Properly
1. Choose the Right Type
For sports: Choose a custom or boil-and-bite athletic mouthguard that allows easy breathing and speaking
For sleep: Choose a custom nightguard made to fit the contours of your bite, especially if you grind your teeth
For orthodontics: Get a mouthguard designed to fit over braces and adjust as your teeth move
At McLevin Dental, we fabricate custom mouthguards based on digital impressions of your mouth, ensuring a secure fit.
2. Wear It Consistently
A mouthguard only works when its in your mouth. Make it part of your pre-game or bedtime routine:
For athletes: Wear it during all practices, games, and training sessions
For bruxism: Wear it every night before bed, especially during stressful periods
Replace immediately if it becomes damaged, loose, or uncomfortable.
3. Keep It Clean
A dirty mouthguard can harbor harmful bacteria, leading to bad breath, gum infections, or illness. To maintain hygiene:
Rinse before and after each use
Clean with mild soap and a toothbrush (not toothpaste, which can be abrasive)
Soak occasionally in a denture-cleaning or antimicrobial solution
Allow to dry completely before storing in a ventilated case
Never expose it to high heat (like boiling water or hot car interiors), which can warp the material.
4. Replace When Needed
Mouthguards dont last forever. You should replace yours if:
It becomes thin, cracked, or misshapen
It no longer fits snugly
It starts to cause irritation or pain
Your bite changes due to growth, orthodontics, or dental work
Children and teens should be refitted regularly as their jaws and teeth develop.
Why Choose a Custom Mouthguard from McLevin Dental?
While store-bought options may offer basic protection, custom mouthguards provide:
Superior fit and comfort
Maximized protection for teeth, gums, and jaw
Improved breathability and speech clarity
Longer lifespan and durability
Greater compliancepeople are more likely to wear guards that feel good
At McLevin Dental, our custom mouthguards are crafted from high-quality materials and tailored specifically for your sport or nighttime needs. We serve athletes, teens, children, and bruxism sufferers across Scarborough and the GTA.
What to Expect During Your Mouthguard Fitting
Dental assessment: We evaluate your oral health, jaw alignment, and unique needs
Digital impressions or scans: Used to create a precise mold of your teeth
Fabrication: The mouthguard is custom-designed in a dental lab
Fitting appointment: We ensure proper fit and make any necessary adjustments
Care instructions: You’ll receive tips on use, cleaning, and when to replace it
The entire process is quick, painless, and results in a protective device that helps you avoid costly dental injuries down the line.
Final Thoughts
Your teeth are meant to last a lifetimedont risk them during play or sleep. A well-made, properly used mouthguard is one of the best investments you can make in your oral health. Its small, portable, and highly effective in preventing some of the most common and serious dental injuries.