General Dentistry
Sports Guards & Night Guards in Minnesota
Custom protection for your teeth during play and while you sleep.
Your teeth face two very different but equally real threats — impact during physical activity and the grinding or clenching that happens during sleep. Custom-fitted mouth guards address both, offering a level of protection and comfort that generic store-bought options simply cannot provide.
Sports Guards & Night Guards in Minnesota
Whether you are an athlete on the field or someone who clenches their jaw during sleep, your teeth deserve proper protection. Custom guards are fabricated from precise impressions of your mouth, ensuring a snug, comfortable fit that stays in place and actually gets worn consistently.
Sports Guards
A blow to the face during any contact or collision sport can crack, chip, or knock out teeth. A custom sports guard absorbs and distributes impact force, protecting teeth, lips, gums, and even reducing the risk of jaw fractures and concussions.
- Custom Fit Made from an impression of your teeth, custom sports guards fit precisely and comfortably, making it easier to breathe and speak.
- Recommended for All Ages From youth sports through adult recreational leagues, anyone in contact or collision activities benefits from a custom guard.
- Durable and Long-Lasting Custom guards outlast generic versions and hold their protective shape over time.
Night Guards
Bruxism — grinding or clenching teeth during sleep — affects a large portion of the population, often without awareness. Over time, it wears down enamel, cracks teeth, causes jaw soreness, and contributes to TMJ dysfunction. A custom night guard creates a protective barrier between upper and lower teeth, absorbing the forces of grinding before they damage your smile.
- Protects Enamel Enamel cannot regenerate. A night guard preserves what you have.
- Reduces Jaw Pain and Headaches By cushioning the bite, night guards relieve the muscular tension that causes morning soreness and headaches.
- Extends the Life of Restorations Crowns, veneers, and other dental work last longer when protected from grinding forces.
How They Are Made
We take a precise impression of your teeth, which is used to fabricate your guard in a dental lab. The finished product fits your mouth exactly, stays comfortable during wear, and provides reliable protection every time.
Sports Guards & Night Guards FAQ
- How is a custom mouth guard different from a store-bought one?
- A custom guard is fabricated from digital impressions of your exact teeth, so it fits snugly, stays in place, and lets you breathe and speak more easily. Store-bought and boil-and-bite guards are bulkier and looser, which means they shift during impact or grinding and spread force less evenly. Because a custom guard is more comfortable, patients are far more likely to actually wear it every night or every game.
- How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
- Common signs of bruxism include waking with a sore jaw or tension headache, teeth that look flat or chipped, new tooth sensitivity, and a partner hearing grinding at night. Dr. Miller can spot wear facets and enamel cracks during an exam, and intraoral camera photos let you see the damage yourself. She also looks at possible root causes such as stress, airway or sleep issues, and bite imbalance.
- How long does a custom guard last?
- Custom night guards typically last about one to five years, depending on how heavily you grind and how well the guard is cared for. Custom sports guards usually last one to three seasons, though growing athletes may need replacements sooner. Bring your guard to each checkup at Valley View Dental so Dr. Miller can check it for thinning, cracks, or a loosening fit.
- Can children wear custom mouth guards?
- Yes. Custom sports guards are a smart choice for kids in hockey, football, basketball, wrestling, soccer, and other contact sports common in southern Minnesota schools. Because children's jaws grow and baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, a child's guard usually needs to be remade every season or two. Dr. Miller can advise on timing based on your child's stage of development.
- How do I clean and care for my mouth guard?
- Rinse your guard with cool water after each use, brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap, and let it air dry before storing it in its ventilated case. Avoid hot water, dishwashers, and leaving it in a hot car, since heat can warp the material and ruin the fit. Keeping it out of reach of pets also prevents chewing damage.
- Can a night guard fix TMJ problems?
- A night guard can significantly ease TMJ symptoms caused by clenching and grinding by cushioning the bite and relaxing the jaw muscles overnight. It protects the teeth but does not always resolve the underlying cause. Dr. Miller's functional-medicine approach considers stress, sleep quality, inflammation, and bite balance, and more complex temporomandibular joint cases may need an occlusal adjustment or other therapy alongside the guard.
Your Holistic Dentist
Meet Dr. Miller
