Mouthguards in Chino, CA

Mouthguards are protective devices worn over your teeth, usually during sports or while sleeping, to shield your teeth, gums, tongue, and jaw from injury or damage. Without a mouthguard, you risk dental trauma, jaw pain, costly dental repairs that could’ve been avoided, and interrupted sports performance due to pain and emergency dental visits.

If you participate in any sport or activity with the potential for collision with hard surfaces, equipment, or other bodies, you should wear a mouthguard. A mouthguard is doubly effective if you wear braces or Invisalign®, because in case of impact it protects your braces and shields the inside of your mouth from contact with brackets and wires.

Mouth guards should be worn by athletes of all ages who participate in contact sports such as:

• Football
• Hockey
• Lacrosse
• Wrestling
• Basketball
• Baseball/Softball
• Soccer
• …any sport where contact is a possibility.

Wearing a mouth guard helps prevent against structural damage to your teeth and jaw and also helps prevent injuries such as lacerations to your cheeks, tongue, and lips. Mouth guards have also been shown to help decrease the risk of concussions.

Mouth guards are available in most any sporting goods store, but you should be careful when purchasing a mouth guard. Mouth guards like this do not offer the best level of protection. They are also usually ill-fitting and uncomfortable.

Types of Mouthguards

Not all mouthguards are created equal. Here’s how the three main types compare:

Premade (Stock) Mouthguards

These are pre-formed, ready-to-wear mouthguards you can find at sporting goods stores.

• Pros: Inexpensive and quick to grab in a pinch
• Cons: Bulky, poor fit, may interfere with breathing or speaking
• Verdict: Better than nothing but not ideal for consistent protection

“Boil-and-Bite” Mouthguards

These are made of thermoplastic material that softens in hot water. After boiling, you bite into it to mold it to your teeth.

• Pros: More personalized than stock mouthguards; affordable
• Cons: Still not perfectly fitted, and can wear down or lose shape over time
• Best for: Occasional use or short-term protection

Custom-Made Mouthguards

Created by Dr. Afifi using a mold of your teeth, these are tailored to fit your mouth perfectly.

• Pros: Best fit, comfort, and protection. Durable and long-lasting.
• Cons: More expensive, but well worth it for serious athletes or those with bruxism
• Ideal for: Contact sports players, nighttime grinders, patients with braces, or TMJ issues

A properly fitted mouthguard:

• Prevents dental injuries like broken, chipped, or knocked-out teeth
• Protects soft tissues (lips, cheeks, tongue)
• Reduces the risk of jaw fractures or concussions
• Guards against damage from nighttime grinding or clenching

For the highest level of comfort and protection, you should visit your dentist for a custom mouth guard fitting. A custom mouth guard is created specifically for the optimal protection of YOUR mouth. It is created with thin plastic that is hardened to protect your teeth. The thinness of the custom mouth guard allows for easy breathing and also allows for easy communication (especially important for you star quarterbacks calling out the signals).

See your dentist today for a custom mouth guard to protect your teeth and ensure that you maintain the highest level of performance on the field, court, or rink.

Mouthguard Home Care

Like any dental appliance, your mouthguard needs love and maintenance:

• Rinse before and after use with cool water or a mild antiseptic mouth rinse
• Clean it gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste or mild soap
• Let it air-dry completely before storing
• Store in a ventilated case to prevent bacterial growth
• Avoid heat (hot water, sunlight, or car dashboards) to prevent warping
• Bring it to your checkups at our Chino dental office so Dr. Afifi can inspect it for wear or damage
• Replace as needed, especially if it shows cracks, thinning, or doesn’t fit right anymore

Keep in mind…

• Comfort matters. If it feels bulky or uncomfortable, you're less likely to wear it consistently. That’s why custom mouthguards are worth the investment.
• Don’t share mouthguards. They’re personal like a toothbrush.
• Encourage your kids to use theirs regularly during practice, not just games and competitions!
• Nighttime grinding? Don’t ignore it. A custom nightguard can save your teeth (and your partner's sleep!).