Dental Mouth Guards
Custom Made Mouth Guards in Revelstoke, BC
Selkirk Dental Helps Patients Avoid Dental Damage with Custom Fit Mouth Guards and Night Guards.
Whether you need protection during sports or relief from nighttime grinding and clenching, a properly fitted mouth guard can help protect your upper and lower teeth, gums, and jaw from ongoing damage. Selkirk Dental can provide you with a mouth or night guard to support TMJ disorders, protection while playing sports, sleep disorders, teeth grinding, jaw pain, and general teeth protection. Patients visit us from Revelstoke, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Nakusp, Golden, and surrounding Interior BC communities for custom dental mouth guards fitted to their individual needs.
Over-the-counter mouth guards are available at pharmacies, but they are not made to fit your specific bite. A dentist-fitted mouth guard is shaped to your teeth and provides better protection, comfort, and durability than a generic option. During your consultation, we assess your needs and help determine which type of mouth guard is right for you.
Book Your Mouth Guard Consultation Today
How to Know If You Need A Mouth Guard
You may benefit from a custom dental mouth guard if you wake up with jaw soreness, headaches, or tooth sensitivity, notice your teeth appear worn or flattened, or have been told you grind your teeth during sleep. A mouth guard may also be recommended if you play contact sports or any physical activity where facial impact is possible, or if you snore and are looking for a non-invasive option to help reposition the jaw during sleep. If you are experiencing jaw discomfort, clicking, or strain that may be related to clenching, a dental professional can assess whether an oral appliance is appropriate for your situation.
Types of Dental Mouth Guards We Provide
Sports Mouth Guards
A custom sports mouth guard covers your teeth and gums to reduce the risk of injury during physical activity. A properly fitted sports mouth guard can cushion impact to the face, helping to minimize the risk of broken teeth, soft tissue injuries, and damage to the lips and jaw. This is particularly important for contact sports and any activity where facial impact is possible. Custom sports mouth guards are more secure and comfortable than store-bought options, which can shift during activity and provide inconsistent protection.
Night Guards for Grinding and Clenching
We can help you find the best night guard for teeth grinding: If you grind or clench your teeth during sleep, a custom night guard can help reduce the wear and stress placed on your teeth over time. Grinding and clenching, also known as bruxism, can lead to tooth sensitivity, enamel loss, cracked teeth, and jaw discomfort if left unaddressed. A custom night guard is designed to fit your bite precisely and can be adjusted in thickness depending on the severity of grinding. Night guards may also help reduce strain on the jaw joints, which can be a contributing factor in temporomandibular joint discomfort.
Sleep Apnea Mouth Guard / Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs)
Sleep Apnea Mouth Guards are different from the standard mouth guard and are more technically called Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs). These custom oral appliances are designed to help manage mild to moderate sleep apnea by repositioning the lower jaw and tongue during sleep, which can help keep the airway open. These appliances are different from a standard night guard and are specifically fitted to support the jaw in a forward position. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or suspect you may have it, a dental professional can discuss whether a custom oral appliance is an appropriate option for your situation alongside any other recommended treatment.
TMJ Mouth Guards
For patients experiencing jaw pain, clicking, or discomfort related to the temporomandibular joint, a custom oral appliance may be recommended as part of a broader treatment plan. A TMJ mouth guard is designed to support jaw positioning and reduce clenching or grinding that can contribute to joint strain. This type of appliance is different from a standard night guard and is fitted based on your individual jaw function and symptoms.
Thermoplastic Night Guards
A thermoplastic night guard is made from a flexible, cushioned material rather than the hard acrylic used in a rigid night guard, making it more comfortable for many patients to wear during sleep. Thermoplastic guards are generally best suited for mild grinding or clenching, while hard guards are recommended for moderate to heavy grinding as they are more durable and better able to withstand sustained pressure over time. During your consultation, a dental professional will assess the severity of your grinding and recommend the type of night guard that best suits your needs.
Rigid Night Guards
A rigid night guard is a custom-fitted oral appliance made from rigid acrylic, designed to protect teeth from the effects of moderate to severe grinding and clenching during sleep. For patients who grind their teeth at night, the firm material creates a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, reducing enamel wear, tooth sensitivity, and jaw muscle fatigue caused by nighttime bruxism. Unlike a boil and bite guard with a generic fit, a rigid night guard is shaped from a precise dental impression for a custom fit that stays securely in place during sleep. The smooth rigid surface allows the jaw to slide rather than lock, which may also help reduce strain on the temporomandibular joint and support more restful sleep.
Dentist Fitted Mouth Guard vs Store Bought
Store-bought mouth guards are available in boil-and-bite or one-size-fits-all formats. While they are more accessible, they are not shaped to your teeth, which can result in poor fit, reduced protection, and discomfort during use. A dentist-fitted mouth guard is made from impressions of your actual bite, which means it fits securely, stays in place during activity or sleep, and provides consistent coverage where it is needed most. Custom mouth guards also tend to last longer than over-the-counter alternatives when cared for properly.
We Provide Mouth Guards For Patients across the Columbia-Shuswap and Kootenay regions
At Selkirk Dental, we proudly welcome patients from Revelstoke and nearby areas, including:
Revelstoke
Salmon Arm
Sicamous
Nakusp
Golden
Malakwa
New Denver
Slocan
Winlaw
Burton
Trout Lake
Field
Lake Louise
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Mouth Guards
-
The cost of a custom dental mouth guard varies depending on the type and materials used. Sports mouth guards and night guards are priced differently, and some dental insurance plans offer partial coverage. During your consultation, we provide a clear estimate based on your specific needs.
-
Pharmacy mouth guards can offer basic protection but are not fitted to your individual bite. A dentist-fitted mouth guard provides a more precise fit, better comfort, and more reliable protection. For ongoing use, especially for grinding or clenching, a custom option is generally recommended.
-
Yes, mouth guards can be used with braces, though the type of guard recommended may differ. A dental professional can advise on the most appropriate option based on your current orthodontic treatment.
-
A night guard is not designed to correct bite alignment. Its primary purpose is to protect teeth from the effects of grinding and clenching and to reduce jaw strain during sleep. If bite correction is a concern, your dental professional can discuss whether orthodontic treatment may be appropriate.
-
Rinse your mouth guard with cool water after each use and brush it gently with a soft toothbrush. Avoid hot water, which can distort the shape. Store it in a ventilated case and bring it to your regular dental appointments for inspection.
-
Some oral appliances are designed to help reposition the jaw during sleep, which may reduce snoring for some patients. A dental professional can assess whether a custom oral appliance may be appropriate based on your symptoms and needs.
-
A custom oral appliance may be recommended as part of managing TMJ symptoms. For some patients, a TMJ mouth guard helps reduce the clenching and grinding that places strain on the jaw joints and surrounding muscles. It can also support jaw positioning during sleep, which may help decrease discomfort over time. A mouth guard alone is not a treatment for TMJ disorder, but it is often used alongside other care as part of a broader management plan. A dental professional can assess your symptoms and determine whether an oral appliance is appropriate for your situation.
-
Yes, in many cases a mouth guard can be worn alongside Invisalign treatment, though the type of appliance recommended may differ depending on where you are in your orthodontic plan. Because Invisalign aligners are removable, your dental professional will advise on the best approach to protect your teeth during treatment without interfering with your progress. If you play sports or grind your teeth and are currently undergoing Invisalign treatment, let your dental professional know so they can recommend the most suitable option for your situation.
Book Your Dental Consultation in Revelstoke, BC
If you’re ready to explore having a mouth guard or have more questions about your options, the Selkirk Dental team is here to help. Call us or book your appointment online.
Book An In-Person Dental Consultation
Book a professional dental appointment at Selkirk Dental. We’ll assess your needs.