Services
Custom Mouthguards
Overview
Mouthguards help protect your child’s teeth during sports and other activities where dental injuries can happen. They may also be recommended for children who grind or clench their teeth at night.
At Northside Pediatric Dentistry in Ann Arbor, Dr. Minjoo Sanker and our team help families choose comfortable, well-fitting mouthguards based on each child’s needs. Whether your child plays sports, wears braces, or needs protection from nighttime teeth grinding, we can recommend an option designed for their smile.
Why Does a Custom Mouthguard Matter?
A custom mouthguard is a protective dental appliance made to fit your child’s individual teeth and bite. Because it is designed specifically for their mouth, it can provide a secure, comfortable fit that makes the mouthguard easier to wear consistently.
Store-bought mouthguards may be useful in some situations, but they may not fit as closely or stay in place as securely. During your child’s visit, we can evaluate their teeth, bite, and activity level to determine what type of mouthguard may be appropriate.
We also explain the available materials and options so you can understand the balance among comfort, durability, and protection.
When Does My Child Need a Mouthguard?
Children who participate in sports or activities that could involve being hit in the face or mouth may benefit from a sports mouthguard. This can include activities such as:
- Football
- Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Skateboarding
A mouthguard may also be recommended for children who clench or grind their teeth at night. A nightguard can help protect the teeth from wear caused by repeated grinding.
Children with braces may need a mouthguard designed to fit comfortably over orthodontic appliances while helping protect the teeth, brackets, and soft tissues of the mouth.
At Northside Pediatric Dentistry, we can help determine which type of mouthguard makes sense for your child and when it should be worn.
What Happens During a Mouthguard Visit?
We begin by examining your child’s teeth and discussing the activities or habits that may put their smile at risk. We may also evaluate their bite and tooth position to help determine the best type of protection.
Next, we take an impression or digital scan of your child’s mouth so the mouthguard can be made to fit their teeth. Once the mouthguard is ready, we check the fit and make adjustments as needed.
Before your child begins using it, our team will also explain how to wear, clean, and store the mouthguard properly.
How Do You Care for a Child’s Mouthguard?
Proper care can help keep a mouthguard clean, comfortable, and in good condition.
- Rinse the mouthguard with cool water after each use.
- Gently clean it with a soft toothbrush and mild soap.
- Store it in a ventilated case.
- Keep it away from heat and direct sunlight.
Bring the mouthguard to your child’s regular dental visits so we can check its condition and fit. Children’s mouths change as they grow, and orthodontic treatment can also affect how a mouthguard fits.
A replacement may be needed if the mouthguard becomes cracked, worn, misshapen, uncomfortable, or too small.
Can Kids Use Store-Bought Mouthguards?
Store-bought mouthguards can provide protection in some situations, but they are not made specifically for your child’s teeth and bite.
A custom mouthguard is designed to fit more closely and stay securely in place. For children who participate in sports regularly, wear braces, or have specific dental needs, a professionally fitted mouthguard may provide a more comfortable solution.
We can help you compare the available options and choose the type that best fits your child’s needs.
Can My Child Wear a Mouthguard With Braces?
Yes. Children with braces can wear mouthguards, but the fit requires additional consideration because their teeth may continue moving throughout orthodontic treatment.
A mouthguard designed with braces in mind can help protect the brackets, teeth, lips, and cheeks during sports and physical activity. We can evaluate your child’s braces and recommend an appropriate option.
Can a Mouthguard Help With Teeth Grinding?
A nightguard may help protect your child’s teeth from excessive wear caused by grinding or clenching.
If you notice worn teeth, hear your child grinding at night, or have concerns about clenching, let our team know. We can evaluate their teeth and determine whether a nightguard or another approach may be appropriate.
How Often Should a Child’s Mouthguard Be Replaced?
There is no single replacement schedule that works for every child. Children’s teeth and jaws continue to change as they grow, and braces can alter tooth position even more quickly.
We recommend replacing a mouthguard when it no longer fits properly, becomes damaged, or no longer provides comfortable coverage. Our team can check the fit during routine dental visits and let you know when it is time for a replacement.
Benefits of a Well-Fitting Mouthguard
A properly fitted mouthguard can help protect your child’s teeth from injuries such as chips, fractures, and knocked-out teeth during sports and physical activity.
For children who grind their teeth at night, a nightguard can also help reduce tooth wear.
Dr. Minjoo Sanker and our team focus on preventive care that helps protect your child’s smile and reduce the risk of avoidable dental problems. We will explain your options clearly and continue monitoring the fit of your child’s mouthguard as their smile grows and changes.
Schedule a Mouthguard Evaluation in Ann Arbor
If your child plays sports, wears braces, or grinds their teeth, Northside Pediatric Dentistry can help you determine whether a custom mouthguard is right for them.
Schedule a visit with Dr. Minjoo Sanker and our team in Ann Arbor to find a comfortable mouthguard designed around your child’s smile and daily activities. Call Northside Pediatric Dentistry today to get started.
Related Services
Questions?
We Are Happy to Help
Call our New Patients at (734) 627-6038, and our team will help you choose the next right step.
What Ann Arbor Families Are Saying
Real families, real visits — a few notes from our neighbors.
“Dr. Minjoo Sanker was great! Took my highly anxious child and relaxed her and made her visit super easy and successful!”
“Great experience! Dr. Minjoo was amazing — so fast but thorough with our little one!”
“Dr. Minjoo is awesome! She is so good with my six-year-old, and doesn’t get frazzled with his anxiety and tears.”
“Dr. Minjoo did an excellent job on a tooth extraction for our very nervous eleven-year-old. Our daughter was really surprised how quickly and easily it went.”
“My son is a very anxious kid when it comes to doctors and dentists. Dr. Minjoo was so soothing and gentle, and took her time explaining everything to him.”
“I wanted to thank Dr. Minjoo Sanker — she was so professional, kind, and patient with my daughter getting crowns put in her teeth! She was wonderful making sure to walk her through the process.”
“We absolutely love the experience and their care. Dr. Minjoo goes above and beyond. We also love all staff. They are very nice, caring, and very professional.”
“Dr. Minjoo Sanker was awesome. I appreciate her for getting me in fast. My son got the care he needed same day!”
“Dr. Minjoo is the best! So skilled and so sweet and keeps the kids distracted and comfortable!”
“My daughter was happy and I was happy too as a mother. Dr. Minjoo and her assistant treat my daughter like their own child very warm.”
“Very sweet staff and a wonderful experience. Very convenient, love the location, plenty of parking and just an overall wonderful experience for my daughters first dental visit.”
“I can't believe how patient and sweet she is. I felt so bad with how terrible my daughter was acting but she really is a rockstar. Unbelievable how kind and nurturing she is.”
“My 10 year old son has anxiety when going to the dentist and the staff was very patient and caring. Dr. Minjoo took the time to answer my questions and set up a treatment plan that was best for my son.”
“Would highly recommend. Dr. Minjoo is great with children and the staff is top notch. They all took great care of my daughter.”
“Both ladies were so sweet and greeted us so warmly. The hygienist and Dr. Minjoo was loving and patient and explained everything so clearly.”
“To say they were wonderful is an understatement! Dr. Minjoo walked my son through every single detail of what she was doing in terms he could understand and checked in with him repeatedly.”
“If I could give a million stars I would! Everyone was amazing. They explained everything to my son, showed him what they were going to do and what each instrument was.”
“The team here is outstanding. They were all so kind, patient, and guided us through the whole produced. Dr. Minjoo would pause and take a break when she knew it was getting overwhelming for my son.”
“Dr. Minjoo was so sweet and patient with my child. My daughter was so nervous but she was able to calm her down. I am truly grateful for the Dentist and her assistants.”
“Dr. Minjoo walked into the room with a very calm demeanor which immediately put my kid at ease. She went over and beyond making sure he knew what was happening and explained every step of the way.”