When was the last time you thought about your teeth during a basketball game? Or considered what might happen if you grind your jaw one more night while sleeping? For most of us, the answer is never. We show up, play hard, sleep hard, and assume our teeth will simply keep up. But teeth don’t work that way. They chip. They fracture. They wear down. And once that happens, the repair process ranges from inconvenient to expensive. This is where custom mouthguards enter the conversation. Not the boil-and-bite versions from drugstores. Not the generic “one size fits none” options. We’re talking about guards made specifically for your mouth at our Chicago dental office.
Two Very Different Problems, One Smart Solution
Here’s what surprises patients most: Mouthguards actually serve two completely different purposes.
Athletic guards absorb impact. Whether you’re into basketball, boxing, hockey, or even recreational cycling, a good mouthguard can mean the difference between walking away from a fall and walking to the emergency dentist. According to the American Dental Association, athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to suffer dental injuries. Sixty times.
Nightguards address a quieter problem: bruxism. That’s the fancy term for grinding or clenching your teeth while you sleep. Maybe you wake up with jaw soreness. Maybe your partner mentions hearing grinding sounds at night. Maybe your dentist simply notices unusual wear patterns during your checkup. Whatever the clue, the result is the same: teeth slowly destroying themselves while you sleep peacefully.
Both problems share the same solution: a custom-fitted guard created specifically for your mouth.
Why Custom Matters
We need to be honest with you about the over-the-counter options. They’re better than nothing. If you’re heading to a game right now and have zero protection, grab something from the pharmacy. It’s a solid temporary measure.
But temporary is the key word there.
Drugstore mouthguards are made from one basic material. They don’t account for the unique contours of your teeth and gums. They’re bulky. They make breathing and talking harder than necessary. And because they don’t fit well, people tend to clench down on them, or simply stop wearing them altogether.
Custom guards from our Chicago office are different. We start by taking precise impressions of your teeth. Then we craft a guard that fits like a glove. It stays in place during activity. It allows normal breathing. It’s thin enough in the right spots to feel natural but thick enough where impact protection matters.
For nightgrinders, custom guards also balance your bite. This takes pressure off your jaw joint and distributes forces evenly across all your teeth. Many patients notice their morning headaches disappear within weeks of starting nightguard use.
What Happens at Our Chicago Office
The process couldn’t be simpler. During a regular visit, we take impressions of your teeth. That’s it. You don’t need a separate appointment or special preparation.
About two weeks later, your guard arrives. We check the fit, make any minor adjustments, and send you home with care instructions. With proper cleaning and storage, a quality guard lasts several years, making the cost per use surprisingly low.
Who Should Consider One?
Athletes of all ages benefit from athletic guards. Yes, this includes adults playing recreational sports. Weekend warriors get injured too.
For nightguards, the signs are subtler. Consider talking with us if you:
- Wake up with tired or sore jaw muscles
- Have teeth that appear shorter or more worn than they used to
- Notice your partner mentioning grinding sounds
- Experience frequent headaches, especially in the morning
- Have unexplained tooth sensitivity
Protect Your Smile Today
A few hundred dollars for a custom mouthguard may seem unreasonable. Until you compare it to the cost of repairing a single chipped tooth, which can run thousands. Or the discomfort of waking up with jaw pain every morning. Or the hassle of sitting through dental procedures that could have been prevented entirely. Our Chicago team has been helping patients protect their smiles for over 25 years. We’ve seen the difference a well-fitted guard makes, both on the field and in the bedroom.
If you’re serious about keeping your smile intact, contact our Chicago location to schedule an appointment. We’ll walk you through your options, answer every question honestly, and create something that actually fits your life. Your teeth work hard for you every single day. It’s only fair to return the favor.