Protect Your Smile
Sports Mouthguards
A custom-fitted mouthguard is the simplest way to prevent the most expensive dental injury your athlete will ever face.
Reviewed by Dr. Sang Kim, DMD — Updated April 2026
Why custom beats store-bought
Boil-and-bite mouthguards from the drugstore are better than nothing — but barely. They're bulky, uncomfortable, make it hard to breathe and speak, and provide inconsistent protection. A custom-fitted mouthguard from Bridgewater Dental Center is made from a precise impression of your teeth. It fits snugly, stays in place during impact, and is comfortable enough that athletes actually wear it. That last part matters most — the best mouthguard in the world doesn't work if it's sitting in a gym bag.
Who needs one?
- Any athlete in a contact sport — football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, hockey, wrestling, martial arts.
- Athletes in collision-risk activities — mountain biking, skateboarding, gymnastics, skiing.
- Bridgewater College athletes and JMU students competing in intramurals or club sports.
- Youth athletes at every level — children's teeth and developing jaws are especially vulnerable.
- Patients with braces or dental restorations (implants, bridges) that need extra protection.
What a dental injury really costs
A knocked-out or fractured tooth can lead to emergency visits, root canals, crowns, implants, and years of follow-up care — easily $3,000 to $10,000 or more over a lifetime. A custom mouthguard costs a fraction of that and prevents the injury entirely. For families across the Shenandoah Valley investing in youth sports, it's one of the smartest pieces of equipment you can buy.
How we make yours
- We take a quick, comfortable impression of your teeth (no goop — we use digital scanning when possible).
- Your mouthguard is fabricated from durable, medical-grade material in a professional lab.
- You come back for a fitting to ensure perfect comfort and protection.
- The whole process takes about a week from impression to delivery.
Night guards for teeth grinding
If you grind your teeth at night (bruxism), a custom night guard protects your enamel from the damage of clenching and grinding while you sleep. Symptoms of grinding include morning jaw soreness, headaches, worn-down teeth, and cracked fillings. Ask Dr. Kim if a night guard is right for you — it's the same fitting process as a sports guard.
Custom mouthguards are available through our general dentistry services. Schedule a fitting or call us at 540-443-2659.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a custom mouthguard different from a store-bought one?+
A custom mouthguard is made from an exact impression of your teeth, so it fits snugly, stays in place during impact, and is comfortable enough that athletes actually wear it. Boil-and-bite guards are bulky, loose, and provide inconsistent protection.
How long does it take to get a custom mouthguard?+
About a week from start to finish. We take a quick impression at your first visit, the guard is fabricated at a professional lab, and you come back for a fitting to make sure everything is perfect.
Can kids get custom mouthguards?+
Absolutely. Children's teeth and developing jaws are especially vulnerable to sports injuries. We make custom guards for youth athletes at every level — from rec leagues to school teams.
How long does a custom mouthguard last?+
Most custom mouthguards last one to three seasons depending on the sport and how hard the athlete plays. Growing kids may need a new one sooner as their mouth changes. We'll check the fit at your regular visits.
Do you also make night guards for teeth grinding?+
Yes. A custom night guard protects your enamel from clenching and grinding while you sleep. The fitting process is the same as a sports guard. Ask Dr. Kim if a night guard is right for you.
Does insurance cover a custom mouthguard?+
Some dental plans cover custom mouthguards, especially for children. Night guards for bruxism are covered more often. We'll check your benefits and let you know before we start.
Ready When You Are
Let's write the next chapter
of your smile's story.
Schedule an appointment online, or give us a call. We're accepting new patients of every age — and we'll walk you through every step.