A hard hit at practice, a late-night habit of clenching through stress, a teenager gearing up for a new sports season. These moments all share one thing in common: the risk of real damage to a smile that took years to build. Whether the threat comes from a collision on the field or the grinding of teeth against teeth at 2 a.m., the right protective device can mean the difference between a healthy set of teeth and an expensive, complex repair.
At Radiant Smiles Dentistry, we design custom mouthguards that fit the exact shape of each patient’s mouth, offering a level of comfort and protection that store-bought versions simply cannot match. Our approach fits within our broader commitment to general dentistry, where prevention always comes before treatment. Dr. Sonam Patel, DMD, builds every mouthguard from a precise scan or impression of the patient’s teeth, so families throughout Pooler and the greater Savannah area can trust that their protection is tailored, not generic
Boil-and-bite and stock mouthguards might seem like a convenient fix, but they rarely stay in place the way they should. Loose-fitting guards shift during activity, which means athletes end up clenching just to keep them from falling out, and that clenching interferes with breathing and speaking at exactly the moment focus matters most.
A custom mouthguard is built differently. Because it follows the precise contours of a patient’s teeth and bite, it stays securely in position without effort, cushioning the jaw and distributing impact more evenly across the arch. Research from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry found that during the 2020 to 2021 school year, nearly one in five reported sports injuries in competition occurred to the head and face, a reminder that orofacial protection deserves the same attention as any other piece of athletic gear.
Sports mouthguards are often the first thing that comes to mind, and for good reason. Kids and adults involved in contact sports face a real risk of chipped teeth, cut lips, or worse without proper coverage. Because we treat patients of every age, families can bring in a growing child for a first-time fitting and return years later for an adult update as their bite changes.
We take the same careful approach we use for our patients considering Invisalign, where an accurate scan and a precise fit determine the outcome. A mouthguard that’s slightly off can cause more irritation than protection, so we make sure every guard we deliver actually does its job.
Not every mouthguard is built for the sports field. Many of our patients come in because they wake up with jaw soreness, headaches, or worn-down enamel from grinding their teeth at night, often without even realizing it’s happening. A custom nightguard cushions the bite and gives the jaw muscles a chance to relax instead of working against each other for hours at a time.
This kind of protection often overlaps with the same jaw pain and tension we address through our TMJ and Botox treatments, giving patients more than one path toward relief depending on what’s actually causing their discomfort. If an accident does happen despite proper protection, our team is also equipped to handle urgent situations through emergency dentistry, so patients are never left without support.
Getting fitted for a custom mouthguard is a simple, comfortable process from start to finish. During the appointment, we take a detailed scan or impression of the teeth, which our lab uses to build a guard shaped precisely to that patient’s mouth. The finished product typically arrives within a couple of weeks, and we always check the fit in person before sending a patient home with it.
Patients appreciate that this process feels nothing like the awkward, ill-fitting guards sold at sporting goods stores. Every guard is built with a specific mouth in mind, which means better comfort, better retention, and better protection over the long run.
Whether dental protection is needed on the football field, on the basketball court, or in the middle of the night, a custom mouthguard from Radiant Smiles Dentistry offers a level of fit and durability that off-the-shelf options can’t match. Dr. Sonam Patel, DMD, brings nearly 10 years of experience to every fitting, ensuring each mouthguard is crafted with the same attention to detail found throughout our full range of general dentistry services.
Our boutique, four-operatory practice means patients get a personalized experience from the very first scan to the final fitting, without the rushed feel of a high-volume office. To schedule a custom mouthguard fitting or ask any questions about protecting your smile, reach out through our contact form and our team will be happy to help.
