Custom Mouthguard Virginia Beach

Not all mouthguards offer the same level of protection. The three most commonly available types are stock (ready-made), boil-and-bite, and custom-made guards fabricated by a dental professional. Of these, the custom mouthguard consistently delivers the superior result. According to a 2024 position statement published through the National Institutes of Health, custom-made sports mouthguards are recognized as the most effective means of preventing sports-related dental injuries, providing protection and comfort without impairing athletic performance. Boil-and-bite options, by contrast, are generally not recommended because they offer less protection and are frequently ill-fitting.

The Problem With Generic Fit

A store-bought mouthguard is manufactured to fit a wide range of mouth shapes and sizes. Because it cannot account for the specific spacing, alignment, or bite registration of your individual teeth, it often sits loosely during activity. An ill-fitting guard that shifts on impact is not only less protective — it can actually become a hazard, causing soft tissue lacerations or making it harder to breathe and communicate. A custom mouthguard fabricated from impressions of your actual teeth stays firmly in place through the full range of athletic movement.

The short answer is any athlete who plays a sport with risk of contact, falls, or high-velocity impact. This includes the obvious contact sports such as football, hockey, boxing, and lacrosse, but also extends to basketball, soccer, martial arts, gymnastics, volleyball, and even cycling. The orofacial area — teeth, soft tissues, facial bone, and jaw — is consistently among the most commonly injured regions across all of these activities, regardless of skill level or age. Our team serves athletes across the full spectrum, and as part of our family dentistry practice, we fit young athletes right alongside their parents.

Getting a custom mouthguard at Shoreline is a straightforward, two-appointment process. During your first visit, we take precise impressions of your teeth and record your bite to ensure the finished appliance fits your anatomy exactly. The mouthguard is then fabricated from FDA-approved materials designed to absorb and distribute impact forces effectively. At your second appointment, we verify the fit, make any necessary adjustments, and walk you through proper care and cleaning so your guard stays in good condition all season. We also discuss when it is time for a replacement, since a deformed or worn guard no longer offers reliable protection.

Custom Mouthguards for Patients With Special Dental Situations

One of the most significant advantages of a custom appliance is its adaptability. Athletes who have orthodontic appliances, dental implants, or missing teeth require a mouthguard tailored to their specific oral environment — something a generic product simply cannot provide. Our team accounts for these factors during fabrication to make sure every patient receives protection that works for the mouth they actually have, not a hypothetical average. If you are also due for a dental cleaning or dental exam, we are happy to combine your mouthguard fitting with your routine preventive visit.