It happens every fall and spring. A parent walks into our Worcester office with a child who suddenly can’t chew on one side. The story is almost always the same: a hard elbow during a basketball game, a bad hop on the baseball field, or a tumble off a bike. The fix for a chipped baby tooth is usually simple. But we’d much rather help you avoid that phone call altogether.
That’s where a good custom mouthguard comes in. But not all mouthguards are created equal. And for a lot of local families, the one you grab at the big-box store might not be the best fit for your child.
closeup of a young football player
Why a Mouthguard Isn’t Optional
Let’s be clear about what we’re protecting against. A mouthguard isn’t just for saving a tooth. It cushions the jaw, reduces the risk of concussions by absorbing impact, and prevents cuts to the lips and cheeks.
According to the American Dental Association, athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to damage their teeth. That’s not a small number.
At Children’s Dental Specialties, we see the real-life version of that stat every season: chipped molars, loosened front teeth, and even teeth that get pushed up into the gumline.
1. Stock Mouthguards (The Cheap One)
These are the pre-formed, boil-and-bite guards you find at a sporting goods store for under $10. They’re better than nothing, but just barely. They often fit poorly, feel bulky, make breathing and talking hard, and offer the least protection. For a young child still learning a sport, a bad fit can be distracting enough that they spit it out mid-game.
2. Boil-and-Bite (The Middle Ground)
You boil these at home, then have your child bite down to shape the material. This is a step up. The fit is better than stock guards, and they cost between $15 and $50. For recreational sports or very young kids who are still growing out of gear quickly, this can be a fine starting point.
3. Custom-Fit (The Gold Standard)
This is what we make right here in our office. We take a digital scan of your child’s teeth; no goopy impressions, just a quick, comfortable intraoral scan. That scan gets turned into a perfect, three-dimensional model. Then a lab fabricates a guard that snaps into place perfectly.
Why Custom-Fit Guards Win for Active Kids
A custom-fit mouthguard is thinner, so it’s easier to breathe and talk. It stays put without needing to bite down constantly. And because it fits exactly, it provides the most even protection across all the teeth.
For kids playing competitive sports, travel hockey, club soccer, AAU basketball, or even serious martial arts, this is the right choice. It’s also the only option if your child has braces, since a boil-and-bite guard can actually get stuck in the hardware.
We Make It Easy for Worcester Families
We’ve been serving families in Worcester, Shrewsbury, Grafton, Northborough, and Boylston since 1968. Getting a custom mouthguard here is simple: one quick appointment for the digital scan, and we’ll call you when it’s ready.
Before your child steps back onto the field or court, give us a call at (508) 625-5534 or request an appointment online. We’ll help you pick the right protection for their smile.