Custom Night Guards & Sports Mouth Guards in Woodland Hills

What Are Occlusal Guards and Sports Guards?

Occlusal guards — also called night guards — are custom-made dental appliances worn over your teeth. They create a protective barrier that absorbs the force of grinding or clenching. Sports mouth guards serve a similar purpose for active patients: they cushion your teeth and jaw during contact sports or high-impact activities.

Both types of guards are made from medical-grade materials and fitted precisely to your bite. A custom fit is essential — a loose or bulky guard can cause discomfort or even worsen jaw strain.

Night Guards for Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

Bruxism is the medical term for unconscious teeth grinding or clenching, most often during sleep. It affects millions of adults and can cause significant damage over time. A custom night guard from a dentist who treats bruxism is the most effective way to protect your teeth. The guard sits comfortably on your upper or lower arch and prevents your teeth from making direct contact, reducing wear on enamel and relieving pressure on your jaw joints.

Custom Sports Mouth Guards for Active Patients

Whether you play football, basketball, martial arts, or any sport with contact risk, a custom sports mouth guard offers far better protection than a store-bought boil-and-bite option. Dr. Kass takes precise impressions of your teeth to create a guard that stays in place during movement and allows normal breathing and speaking. This level of fit reduces the risk of concussion and prevents broken teeth, cut lips, and jaw injuries.

Why a Custom-Fitted Guard Makes a Difference

A custom dental guard Woodland Hills patients receive at First Dental is not the same as what you find at a pharmacy. Over-the-counter guards are made from one-size-fits-all molds that can shift, cause gagging, or fail to protect the teeth evenly. A custom guard is designed from a digital scan or impression of your actual teeth. The result is a precise fit that stays in place, distributes forces evenly, and protects your existing dental work — including crowns, bridges, and implants.

Dr. Kass evaluates your bite pattern, jaw alignment, and any existing tooth wear before designing your guard. This personalized approach ensures the guard addresses your specific needs, not just a generic grinding pattern. For patients with implants, a properly fitted guard is especially important — uncontrolled grinding forces can compromise implant stability over time.

Night Guards and TMJ — Understanding the Connection

Teeth grinding and jaw clenching place direct stress on the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). Many patients who grind also experience TMJ-related symptoms such as clicking, popping, or pain when opening and closing the mouth. A night guard can help reduce these symptoms by preventing the extreme clenching forces that aggravate the joint.

When a Night Guard Alone Isn't Enough

For some patients, a night guard provides relief, but the underlying TMJ issue requires more targeted care. If you experience persistent jaw pain, locking, or limited mouth opening, a guard may be a starting point rather than a complete solution. In these cases, we may recommend a TMJ evaluation to determine whether muscle therapy, bite adjustment, or other interventions are needed. TMJ treatment at First Dental addresses the joint dysfunction itself, while a night guard primarily protects the teeth. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right path for lasting relief.

What Happens If You Skip Protecting Your Teeth?

Untreated grinding or unprotected sports participation can lead to damage that is costly and difficult to reverse. The consequences often go unnoticed until significant harm has occurred.

The Long-Term Risks of Untreated Grinding and Impact Exposure

Chronic grinding wears down enamel — sometimes by millimeters per year — leading to shorter, more sensitive teeth. Over time, this can cause cracks, fractures, and the need for crowns or root canals. For patients with dental implants, grinding forces can stress the implant-bone interface and contribute to early failure. Jaw strain from clenching can also lead to chronic headaches, ear pain, and TMJ disorders.

In sports, a single impact without a mouth guard can chip or knock out a tooth, split a crown, or cause a jaw fracture. Emergency dental treatment for a broken tooth is far more expensive and time-consuming than wearing a properly fitted guard. Same-day emergency appointments are available if an injury occurs, but prevention is always the simpler path.