What is the difference between store-bought and custom mouth guards?

Many sports carry a risk of injury to the mouth, including the teeth, gums, lips and tongue. So it makes sense to protect these areas as much as you can. This protection comes in the form of mouth guards. But there are different kinds to choose from so which type is better? When it comes to the difference between store-bought and custom mouth guards there is a clear winner.

Custom mouth guards are professionally fitted by a trained dentist specifically for an individual’s mouth and teeth. This makes them much more comfortable to wear. They are also less likely to fall out or be dislodged. Therefore custom mouth guards are more likely to be worn properly during times of highest risk.

Store-bought, or over-the-counter mouth guards are generic products with a one-size-fits-all model. Some small customization is usually possible through the boil-and-mold method but it’s not near the same level a dentist can achieve. Store-bought mouth guards use cheaper materials, don’t last as long and are prone to being worn incorrectly due to ill-fit and discomfort. 

While using a store-bought mouth guard is better than wearing none at all, the CDC recommends players use a custom mouth guard for better protection. They are more expensive, but the benefits outweigh the costs in terms of increased safety. And they are much cheaper than treating maxillofacial sports injuries caused by an ill-fitting mouth guard or the absence of one altogether.

Custom Mouth guard

• Better quality
• Better fit
• More comfortable
• Better protection
• Longer-lasting

Store-bought Mouth guard

• Cheaper quality
• Doesn’t fit as well
• Inferior protection
• Doesn’t last very long
• Better than nothing

Riverside Heights Dental Centre are authorized providers of Under Armour mouth guards for high-impact sports. We have also written an article about the unique protection of Under Armour mouth guards during sport activities. Contact us for more information and to book a fitting today.