Mouth Guards in Riverview
Waking up with a sore jaw, a dull headache, or teeth that feel tender when you bite down is one of the most common complaints we hear from our Riverview patients. So is the last-minute phone call from a parent whose child's football or hockey season starts next week and needs protection before the first practice. Both problems have the same practical solution: a custom mouth guard made to fit your teeth and nobody else's.
A mouth guard is a protective appliance that covers your teeth and keeps them from taking damage they were never meant to absorb. We make two kinds at our Woodhaven office at 22500 Allen Rd., a short drive for families in Riverview, and the right choice depends on what you're protecting against.
Night guards are for grinding and clenching, also called bruxism. Many people grind in their sleep without knowing it, and the evidence shows up as flattened or chipped teeth, worn-down fillings, cracked crowns, jaw soreness, or morning headaches. A night guard puts a smooth, durable layer between the upper and lower teeth so the grinding force lands on the appliance instead of your enamel.
Sports guards are for impact. They cushion blows to the mouth during contact and collision sports, helping protect front teeth, lips, and soft tissue. They're bulkier and more shock-absorbing than a night guard, and they're sized for an athlete's growing mouth when we're fitting a child or teen. The two aren't interchangeable: a night guard won't stand up to a hit on the field, and a sports guard isn't built for hours of nightly pressure. Plenty of our patients end up with one of each.
Almost anyone can benefit from a mouth guard, but a few situations make it especially worth discussing. During your exam we look for the telltale wear patterns of grinding, check how your teeth come together, and ask about jaw tension and morning symptoms. For athletes, we simply look at the sport and the age of the player.
- Adults who wake with jaw soreness, tooth sensitivity, or tension headaches
- Patients with visible enamel wear, chipping, or repeated damage to fillings and crowns
- Anyone who has invested in crowns, veneers, bonding, or implants and wants to protect that work
- Children and teens in contact sports, from youth leagues through high school
- Adults playing recreational or league sports where a stray elbow or puck is a real risk
- Patients finishing orthodontic treatment who want to protect their results
Because we treat all ages, we can fit a whole Riverview family in the same office — a night guard for a parent, sports guards for the kids. We also see children from age one through the teen years and treat children with special healthcare needs.
What the Process Looks Like
It starts with a consultation, which is complimentary. We talk about your symptoms or your sport, examine your teeth and bite, and recommend the type and thickness of guard that fits the situation. If grinding has already caused damage, we'll point that out and discuss whether anything needs repair first.
Next we take impressions or a scan of your teeth. That's where our in-house dental lab makes a real difference: night guards and other appliances are made and adjusted right here rather than shipped out and back, which keeps turnaround short and makes adjustments simple. When you come in for delivery, we check the fit, make sure it seats comfortably and doesn't rub, and refine it on the spot if needed. You leave knowing how it should feel and how to wear it.
Caring for Your Guard
Rinse it with cool water after each use and brush it gently — no hot water, which can warp the material. Let it dry fully before storing it in its case, and keep it away from pets, who find them irresistible. Bring it to your cleaning appointments so we can inspect it for wear and check that it still fits, especially for kids and teens whose mouths are still changing.
If a guard cracks, loosens, or starts feeling off, call us. Our lab handles adjustments and repairs on site, so you're not waiting weeks without protection. We also offer same-day emergency appointments if a dental injury happens before a guard is in place.
Paying for Your Mouth Guard
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and provide a complimentary benefits check so you know your coverage before we begin. We also welcome self-pay patients and accept cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
Without insurance, our in-house membership plan is $199 a year for ages 18 and up and $99 for ages 17 and under, with no deductibles, no annual maximum, no waiting period, and 20% to 50% off treatment beyond covered preventive care. CareCredit financing is also available. Se habla español — call us and we'll get you scheduled.