Mouthguards in Barrie, ON
Mouthguards at Georgian Dental in Barrie are custom-made oral appliances that protect your teeth, gums, and jaw from injury during sports or from grinding at night. At our Barrie office, we provide sports mouthguards and night guards shaped precisely to your bite for better fit and stronger protection than anything you can buy off the shelf. Our team reviews your needs at the consultation so you know what kind of guard fits your situation and what the process looks like.
What Is a Mouthguard?
A mouthguard at Georgian Dental is a thin, durable appliance that cushions your teeth and jaw from impact or from the pressure of grinding. We provide two main types, depending on what you need protection from:
Stock and boil-and-bite guards from the drugstore are available, but they typically fit loosely and wear through faster than a custom model. A custom guard from our practice comes from an exact model of your teeth, so it sits securely without being held in place by your bite.
Is a Custom Mouthguard Right for You?
You may be a good candidate for a custom mouthguard if:
At the consultation we review your medical and dental history and let you know which type fits your situation.
Your Mouthguard Team
Our team at Georgian Dental fits custom mouthguards for athletes of all ages, for adults managing bruxism, and for patients who’ve had restorative or orthodontic work they want to protect. Meet the professionalsThis link leads to Professionals’ page involved in your care at our Barrie dental office.
At the fitting appointment we check the edges, the bite contact, and the overall comfort so the guard feels secure without being intrusive. If the fit needs adjusting, we bring you back to refine it. We’d rather you come back once than live with a guard that doesn’t sit right.
The Custom Mouthguard Process
Getting a custom mouthguard at our Barrie office is straightforward and usually involves two short visits:
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Consultation and exam
We examine your bite and check the condition of your teeth and soft tissue, then talk through what you need the guard for: sports, grinding, jaw discomfort, or a combination. If we see signs of wear from grinding, we flag them.
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Digital scan or impression
We capture a precise model of your upper and lower teeth. Digital scanning is fast and avoids the older tray-and-putty process.
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Lab fabrication
Your scan goes to the lab, where the guard is made from medical-grade material in the thickness appropriate for your use. This step typically takes one to two weeks.
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Fitting visit
You come back to try the guard on. We confirm the guard stays seated when you open and close, and that it doesn’t interfere with breathing. We smooth any edges that aren’t right.
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Care instructions
Before you leave, we go over how to clean and store the guard so it lasts.
There’s no numbing and nothing about the process that should feel invasive.
Benefits of a Custom Mouthguard
Why Choose Georgian Dental
At Georgian Dental, we provide custom mouthguards as part of the full range of care we offer under one roof in Barrie. A few specific reasons patients choose our practice for their guard:
Cost and Coverage
Cost for a custom mouthguard at Georgian Dental depends on a few factors, which we walk through at your consultation:
At your consultation, we give you a written estimate before any work is ordered from the lab.
Can I just buy a mouthguard at the pharmacy?
You can, and for short-term use or occasional recreational sport, a boil-and-bite guard works. But custom guards fit more precisely and stay in place without needing to be bitten down on. They also last longer. For competitive sports or nightly grinding, a custom guard is usually worth the difference.
How long does a custom mouthguard last?
A well-made night guard commonly lasts three to five years, and a sports guard typically two to three years. Lifespan depends on grinding force and how carefully the guard is cleaned and stored. We check the fit at your regular exams and let you know when it’s time for a new one.
Will a mouthguard help with my jaw discomfort or headaches?
A night guard often reduces the pressure on your jaw muscles and joints from clenching and grinding, which for many patients eases morning soreness and tension headaches. If your jaw discomfort has another cause, such as a displaced disc or a bite issue, the guard is part of a bigger plan. We discuss this at the consultation.
Do mouthguards prevent concussions?
Research on this is mixed. Mouthguards reliably reduce dental and soft-tissue injury; their role in preventing concussions is debated, and you shouldn’t rely on a mouthguard alone as concussion protection. Use appropriate headgear for your sport in addition to a guard.
Can my child wear a custom mouthguard?
Yes. We fit custom sports guards for children and teensThis link leads to Childrens’ Dentistry page, sized for their current bite. As kids grow and lose baby teeth, the fit needs to be updated every season or two. We factor growth into the plan.
Does CDCP cover a mouthguard?
Coverage depends on the specific plan and the type of guard. Canadian Dental Care Plan coverage for occlusal appliances can vary; our front desk can help you check what your plan covers before you commit. For patients with private insurance, night guards are often partially covered when prescribed for bruxism.
How do I clean my mouthguard?
Rinse it with cool water after each use and brush gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap (not toothpaste, which is abrasive). Store it dry in a ventilated case. Don’t leave it in a hot car or in direct sunlight, and don’t chew on it. We go over the full routine at your fitting visit.
What if my guard stops fitting right?
Guards can lose fit over time, or after new dental work. Bring it in and we can assess whether it needs adjustment or replacement. In most cases an adjustment takes a single short visit.
