FAQ 1: What is the primary purpose of a custom mouthguard for sports?

The primary purpose of a custom mouthguard for sports is to help reduce the risk of dental and oral injuries during high-impact activity by providing a stable, precision-fitted protective barrier between the teeth, jaw, and external forces. At Impact Dental Designs, custom mouthguards are dentist-designed from an exact dental impression and shaped around the athlete’s bite, occlusion, and functional jaw anatomy, allowing them to stay securely in place during contact rather than shifting or loosening.

This level of fit supports consistent positioning during strikes, falls, and collisions, helping protect against chipped, fractured, or displaced teeth, as well as soft-tissue injuries to the lips, cheeks, and tongue. Because the guard is pressure-formed to the athlete’s unique dental anatomy, it delivers protection without requiring constant clenching or adjustment—an important factor for breathing, communication, and focus during training and competition.

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FAQ 2: How does a custom mouthguard differ from a boil-and-bite guard?

A custom mouthguard differs from a boil-and-bite guard in how it is designed, fitted, and expected to perform under impact. A custom mouthguard is fabricated from a detailed dental impression and shaped around the athlete’s exact teeth, bite, occlusion, and functional jaw anatomy. This impression-based process allows the guard to sit securely in place during training and competition rather than shifting or loosening during contact.

Boil-and-bite guards rely on self-molding and generic sizing, which often results in uneven thickness, inconsistent retention, and the need to clench to keep the guard seated. That movement can interfere with breathing, communication, and focus during high-intensity activity. In contrast, a dentist-designed custom mouthguard is pressure-formed using dental-grade materials selected for high-impact sports, with thickness and layering considered as part of the design to support consistent positioning and impact handling rather than one-size-fits-all padding.

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FAQ 3: What specific injuries do custom mouthguards prevent?

A custom mouthguard is designed to help reduce the risk of common dental and oral injuries seen in high-impact and combat sports by managing how force is transferred to the teeth and surrounding structures. When properly fitted, a dentist-designed custom mouthguard helps protect against chipped, fractured, or displaced teeth during strikes, falls, and collisions by providing a stable protective barrier that stays seated during contact.

Custom mouthguards also act as a buffer between the teeth and soft tissues, helping limit cuts and trauma to the lips, cheeks, and tongue caused by sudden impact or jaw compression. Because the guard is built from a precise dental impression and shaped around the athlete’s bite and jaw mechanics, it supports consistent positioning during impact rather than shifting, which is critical for maintaining protection throughout training and competition.

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FAQ 4: Can a custom mouthguard help reduce concussion risk?

A custom mouthguard is designed to protect the teeth, jaw, and surrounding soft tissues during high-impact activity, and may help reduce concussion risk as part of a broader protective system when it fits and functions correctly. Mouthguards designed under the clinical direction of Dr. Andrew Sarowitz, a licensed sports dentist, are fabricated from precise dental impressions to stay consistently seated during contact rather than shifting or collapsing under force.

While a mouthguard is not a standalone concussion prevention device, proper fit and secure retention help ensure stable positioning during impact and avoid the excessive movement associated with poorly fitting guards. Its primary role remains dental and oral protection, with any reduction in concussion risk understood as supportive and indirect, not guaranteed.

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FAQ 5: Why is precision fit so crucial for athletic performance with a custom mouthguard?

Precision fit is crucial for athletic performance because it allows a custom mouthguard to stay securely seated without requiring clenching, readjustment, or conscious effort during training and competition. A dentist-designed custom mouthguard is built from an exact dental impression and shaped around the athlete’s bite and jaw mechanics, which helps maintain consistent positioning even during heavy breathing and repeated contact.

When a mouthguard fits properly, it reduces distractions caused by movement or bulk and supports natural breathing and clear communication without compromising protection. This matters in high-intensity environments where focus, timing, and situational awareness are critical. A guard that works with the athlete’s anatomy—rather than against it—allows performance to remain the priority instead of managing poorly fitting gear.

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FAQ 6: What materials are used in high-quality custom mouthguards?

High-quality custom mouthguards are fabricated from dental-grade, multi-layer thermoplastic materials selected for use in repeated high-impact contact environments. These materials commonly include ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) and related dental polymers chosen for their durability, ability to hold shape under force, and suitability for precise impression-based fabrication.

Rather than relying on a single layer, dentist-designed custom mouthguards often incorporate multiple material densities, with firmer outer layers intended to handle direct contact and more adaptive inner layers designed to conform closely to the teeth and bite. This layered construction is planned during fabrication, allowing the guard to balance protection, retention, and comfort based on the demands of high-impact sports rather than one-size-fits-all padding.

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FAQ 7: How does a dentist-designed custom mouthguard manage impact during contact?

A dentist-designed custom mouthguard manages impact by combining precise impression-based fit with layered dental-grade materials engineered for high-contact environments. At Impact Dental Designs, mouthguards are pressure-formed from exact dental impressions so they sit securely around each tooth and along the bite, helping them remain consistently positioned during strikes rather than shifting or collapsing unevenly.

During contact, the layered construction allows force to be spread across the guard’s structure instead of being concentrated at a single point. Firmer outer layers are designed to handle direct contact, while more adaptive inner layers conform closely to the teeth and bite, supporting controlled force distribution.

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FAQ 8: Does a custom mouthguard improve breathing during intense activity?

Yes, a custom mouthguard can support more natural breathing during intense activity by fitting securely and staying low-profile, rather than shifting or obstructing the mouth during movement. Because a dentist-designed custom mouthguard is fabricated from an exact dental impression, it conforms closely to the athlete’s teeth and bite, allowing it to remain seated without requiring clenching to keep it in place.

Poorly fitting or bulky guards often force athletes to bite down or adjust the guard mid-round, which can interfere with breathing and concentration. A precision-fit custom mouthguard is designed to stay put during heavy breathing and repeated contact, reducing distractions and allowing athletes to breathe and communicate without managing loose equipment during training or competition.

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FAQ 9: What role does jaw positioning and stability play in athlete protection?

Jaw positioning and stability play an important role in athlete protection by ensuring a custom mouthguard remains consistently seated during impact rather than shifting, collapsing, or requiring clenching to stay in place. A dentist-designed custom mouthguard is fabricated from a precise dental impression and shaped around the athlete’s bite, occlusion, and functional jaw anatomy, which helps maintain reliable positioning during contact.

This consistent fit allows the mouthguard to act as a stable interface between the upper and lower teeth during strikes, falls, or collisions, supporting controlled force transfer across the guard rather than uneven contact points. While a mouthguard is not designed to prevent concussions or eliminate injury risk, proper jaw positioning and retention help ensure the protective equipment performs as intended throughout training and competition, without introducing additional distraction or instability.

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FAQ 10: Are custom mouthguards comfortable enough for extended training and competition?

Custom mouthguards are designed to be comfortable for extended training and competition because they are fabricated from an exact dental impression and shaped around the athlete’s unique teeth, bite, and jaw anatomy. This precision fit allows the guard to sit securely without excessive bulk, pressure points, or the need for constant repositioning during long sessions.

Because a dentist-designed custom mouthguard stays seated during movement and heavy breathing, it reduces irritation and distraction that often come with poorly fitting or generic guards. Comfort in this context isn’t about forgetting the guard is there—it’s about reliable fit and consistent positioning that allow athletes to train and compete without managing their equipment mid-session.

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FAQ 11: Which athletes and sports benefit most from a custom mouthguard?

Athletes involved in high-impact, high-contact, or collision-prone sports benefit most from a custom mouthguard, where repeated strikes, falls, or accidental contact make dental injury a realistic risk. This includes combat sports such as MMA, boxing, and kickboxing, as well as contact sports like football, hockey, rugby, and lacrosse, where impact to the face and jaw is common during training and competition.

Custom mouthguards are also relevant in sports where unexpected contact or falls can occur, including basketball, soccer, skateboarding, and similar activities. In these environments, a dentist-designed, impression-based mouthguard provides stable retention and consistent coverage during movement and impact—qualities that generic guards often struggle to maintain. The higher the risk of contact, the more critical precision fit and reliable positioning become.

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FAQ 12: How do I get a custom mouthguard made?

Getting a custom mouthguard starts with capturing an accurate impression of your teeth and bite so the guard can be built around your actual dental anatomy. For most athletes, this is done using a dentist-designed at-home impression kit, which includes clear instructions and a prepaid return label. Once the completed impressions are returned, the mouthguard is fabricated in a dental lab using impression-based techniques that account for fit, retention, occlusion, and use in high-impact sports.

For athletes who can’t use a traditional molding kit—such as those with braces—a digital intraoral scan can be used instead and sent directly to the lab. After fabrication, the finished mouthguard is shipped back, built specifically for training and competition rather than generic sizing or self-molded materials. Turnaround time typically averages around five weeks, depending on design complexity and how quickly impressions are returned.

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FAQ 13: How long does a custom mouthguard typically last in high-impact sports?

The lifespan of a custom mouthguard depends largely on how often and how intensely it’s used, as well as changes to the athlete’s teeth over time. In general, a custom mouthguard used selectively for sparring and competition can last up to two years. Athletes who train daily or use their guard in every session—common in combat sports—may see signs of wear sooner and require replacement earlier.

Growing athletes, including children and teenagers, typically need replacement more frequently due to changes in dental structure, often within one year or a single sports season. Regardless of age or sport, a mouthguard should be inspected regularly for reduced retention, material separation, warping, or changes in fit. When the guard no longer stays securely in place or shows visible wear, it’s time to replace it to maintain consistent protection.

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FAQ 14: How should a custom mouthguard be cared for to maintain protection?

Proper care starts immediately after use. A custom mouthguard should be rinsed with cool water or a non-alcoholic mouthwash after training or competition to remove debris and moisture. Avoid hot water, which can warp the shape and compromise fit. On a regular basis, gently clean the guard with a soft toothbrush and mild soap—toothpaste should be avoided, as it can be abrasive and damage dental-grade materials.

After cleaning, allow the mouthguard to air dry completely before storing it in a ventilated, protective case. Proper storage helps prevent moisture buildup, odor, and material wear during transport and between sessions. The guard should also be inspected routinely for cracks, warping, or reduced retention. If the fit changes or visible wear appears, replacement is recommended to maintain consistent protection.

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FAQ 15: Is the investment in a custom mouthguard truly worth it?

For serious athletes, a custom mouthguard is worth the investment because it delivers reliable protection, consistent fit, and long-term usability in environments where impact is part of the sport. The approach behind these mouthguards is led by a licensed dentist, bringing clinical standards and real-world sports dentistry experience into equipment built for high-impact training and competition.

The value isn’t framed around promises or guarantees. It’s about reducing avoidable downtime, maintaining dependable protection session after session, and using equipment designed for real training conditions rather than disposable, one-size-fits-all solutions.

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