Medically Reviewed by Dr. Martha Silva on September 24, 2026
A split-second collision on the field can turn a routine play into a costly dental emergency. While basic store-bought mouthguards may seem sufficient for protecting teeth during sports, they often fail to address the full spectrum of oral health risks athletes face, including jaw misalignment and long-term TMJ complications, which can affect performance for years to come.
At Floss & Co. in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood of Chicago, our experienced team crafts custom sports mouthguards that offer far more than basic protection. Our patient-focused approach combines advanced dental technology with a deep understanding of how oral health impacts athletic performance, ensuring athletes at every level can compete with confidence and avoid the costly consequences of inadequate protection.
4 Reasons Athletes Need Custom Sports Mouthguards
The distinction between custom-fitted sports mouthguards and generic store-bought versions extends well beyond simple comfort. Understanding the following advantages of professional-grade protection helps athletes and parents make informed decisions about oral health care that can prevent both immediate injuries and long-term complications:
Superior Fit and Injury Prevention
Store-bought mouthguards typically come in one-size-fits-all or boil-and-bite varieties that provide minimal coverage and often shift during play. These basic options fail to account for individual tooth alignment, jaw structure, and bite patterns, leaving athletes vulnerable to both immediate injury and long-term complications. In fact, athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to sustain dental injuries.
Custom mouthguards created at our Chicago practice begin with precise digital scans of your teeth and jaw, eliminating uncomfortable impressions while capturing exact measurements. This personalized approach ensures the mouthguard fits securely without restricting breathing or speech, two factors that directly impact athletic performance.
Protection Against TMJ and Jaw Issues
Beyond preventing chipped or knocked-out teeth, custom sports mouthguards play a crucial role in protecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) from impact-related damage. Repetitive impacts, even minor ones, can cause jaw misalignment that leads to chronic pain, headaches, and difficulty eating.
Our TMJ/TMD treatments often address issues that began with inadequate mouthguard protection during youth sports. The cushioning effect of a properly fitted custom mouthguard absorbs and distributes impact forces across the entire dental arch rather than concentrating stress on individual teeth or the jaw joint. This distribution is particularly important in contact sports such as football, hockey, and basketball, where athletes experience repeated impacts throughout a season.
Enhanced Breathing and Athletic Performance
One often-overlooked benefit of custom sports mouthguards is their ability to maintain proper airway function during physical activity. Unlike bulky store-bought options that can restrict breathing and force mouth-breathing patterns, custom-fitted mouthguards are designed to allow optimal airflow. This consideration is especially important for young athletes whose jaw development can be influenced by breathing patterns.
At Floss & Co., our expertise in airway expansion allows us to create mouthguards that support healthy oral development while providing protection. When athletes can breathe efficiently during competition, they perform better, recover faster, and avoid developing compensatory breathing patterns that can affect long-term oral health.
Compatibility With Orthodontic Treatment
For athletes already undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces or other appliances, custom mouthguards become even more critical. Standard mouthguards don’t accommodate the brackets and wires of braces, leaving both the orthodontic appliance and the soft tissues of the mouth vulnerable to injury.
Our team creates specialized mouthguards that protect both teeth and orthodontic hardware, ensuring treatment continues safely throughout the athletic season. This customization prevents cuts to the cheeks and lips that commonly occur when athletes with braces use generic mouthguards.
Caring for Your Custom Mouthguard
A custom mouthguard is only effective if it is cleaned and stored properly between uses. Rinse it with cool water after every practice or game, and brush it gently with a soft toothbrush to remove bacteria and debris. Avoid hot water or direct sunlight, since heat can warp the fit of the material.
Store the mouthguard in a ventilated case rather than a sealed bag to prevent moisture buildup, and bring it along to your regular dental visits so we can check that it still fits properly. Growing children and teens in particular may need a new mouthguard more often as their teeth and jaw continue to develop.
Know When to Replace Your Mouthguard
Most custom mouthguards last one to three seasons with proper care, though this varies based on the sport, how often it is worn, and any changes in orthodontic treatment. Visible tears, a looser fit, or ongoing orthodontic adjustments are all signs it may be time for a new one. If jaw discomfort develops during a season, our TMJ and airway connection resource offers more background on how impact and alignment issues can be related.
Protect Your Smile During Sports With Custom Mouthguards at Floss & Co.
Investing in a custom sports mouthguard is an investment in long-term oral health and athletic performance. The cost of a properly fitted mouthguard pales in comparison to the expenses associated with emergency dental care, restorative treatments, or managing chronic TMJ issues that may result from playing without protection.
Our team at Floss & Co. welcomes athletes of all ages and demographics to our practice, where we combine state-of-the-art technology with personalized care to create mouthguards that truly fit your needs. Ready to upgrade from basic protection to comprehensive athletic oral health care? Contact us today to schedule a custom mouthguard fitting and ensure your smile stays protected both on and off the field.
Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Sports Mouthguards
How is a custom mouthguard different from a boil-and-bite version?
A custom mouthguard is created from a digital scan of your teeth and jaw, so it fits securely and does not shift during play. Boil-and-bite versions are shaped by hand and tend to be bulkier, less accurate, and more likely to loosen during activity.
How often should a custom mouthguard be replaced?
Most custom mouthguards last one to three sports seasons with proper care. Growing children, teens in active orthodontic treatment, and athletes in high-contact sports may need replacements more frequently.
Can I wear a custom mouthguard with braces?
Yes. We create specialized mouthguards designed to fit comfortably over brackets and wires, protecting both your teeth and your orthodontic appliance without cutting into your cheeks or lips.
Which sports require a mouthguard?
Any sport with a risk of falls or contact can benefit from a mouthguard, including football, hockey, basketball, wrestling, soccer, and baseball. Even individual sports like skateboarding or gymnastics carry enough fall risk that a mouthguard is worth considering.
How long does it take to get a custom mouthguard made?
After a quick digital scan of your teeth, most custom mouthguards are ready within a week or two. The scanning appointment itself typically takes less than half an hour.
About the Author
Dentist, Floss & Co.
Dr. Martha Silva provides family and orthodontic dentistry at Floss & Co. in Chicago, with an emphasis on protecting patients’ oral health both in and out of the dental chair.