Custom Mouthguards and Night Guards in Grand Junction, CO
Two very different problems, one solution: a custom-fitted appliance that keeps your teeth from getting destroyed. One protects against a hockey puck or an elbow. The other protects against your own jaw at two in the morning.
High Desert Dental makes both from impressions of your actual teeth, right here in Grand Junction.
Types of Mouthguards
Sports mouthguards
Hockey, football, wrestling, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, martial arts, mountain biking, skateboarding and skiing. If there is an elbow, a puck or the ground involved, wear one. Molded to your teeth, so it stays put and your athlete can breathe and talk.
Night guards for grinding
Bruxism wears teeth flat, cracks enamel and fractures crowns, usually while you sleep. A night guard puts a barrier between your teeth so the appliance takes the wear instead of your enamel, and takes pressure off the jaw joint.
TMJ and jaw pain
Morning headaches at the temples, a sore or clicking jaw, new cold sensitivity with no visible cavity. Tell us and we will evaluate the joint, not just the teeth.
How we protect smiles of local athletes
Official Dentist of the Grand Junction River Hawks
We see what happens on the ice, on the field and on the mat. A custom guard is molded to the athlete’s teeth, so it stays put, it does not get spat out mid-shift, and it takes the hit instead of their smile.
We fit athletes of every age and sport at our Patterson Road office, and we are proud to stand behind the teams our families play for.
High Desert Dental's Annual Community mouthguard day
We opened the doors, parked a food truck out front, and fitted guards all afternoon. It is one of our favorite days of the year. We love seeing all of your smiling faces and protecting your family’s smiles.Â
Signs you may be grinding your teeth
Most people who grind have no idea until a dentist points out the wear. The force involved is remarkable: patients flatten molars, crack enamel, and fracture crowns they paid good money for.
- A dull headache at the temples when you wake up
- Sore jaw muscles or clicking at the joint
- Teeth that look flattened or shortened across the edges
- New sensitivity to cold with no visible cavity
- A partner who hears it
- Scalloped edges along the sides of your tongue
A night guard does not stop the clenching. It puts a barrier between your teeth so the appliance takes the wear instead of your enamel. If you have ongoing TMJ pain, tell us and we will evaluate the joint too.
Custom vs. store-bought Mouth Guards
| Drugstore guard | Custom guard from us | |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Approximate | Molded to your teeth |
| Comfort | Bulky, often gags | Thin, stays in place |
| Protection | Minimal against real impact | Full coverage |
| Lifespan | Months | Years |
| Bite adjustment | None | Checked and adjusted by Dr. Josh |
An ill-fitting guard can actually make grinding worse by changing where your teeth meet. That is not a risk worth taking with a drugstore appliance.
Getting fitted is quick and painless
Visit one. We exam, check your bite and your wear patterns, and take impressions or a digital scan.
Visit two. A week or two later you come back, we seat the guard, check the bite, and adjust anything that feels high. If it bothers you later, bring it in. Adjustments are quick.
Patient Testimonials
Mouthguard and night guard FAQs
A night guard usually lasts a few years. A sports guard for a growing kid needs replacing more often as teeth come in.
Many plans do, at least partially, when grinding damage is documented. We will check your benefits and tell you your share before we start.
Tell us what you are wearing and we will plan around it. Ask about clear aligners if you are still considering treatment.
Get it in a bright color, label the case, and make it part of the gear bag routine rather than something they carry loose.
Two short ones. Exam, bite check and impressions at the first; seat and adjust at the second, usually a week or two later.
Rinse it in cool water right after you take it out. Brush it gently with a soft brush and no toothpaste, which is abrasive. Let it dry fully before it goes back in the case. Keep it out of hot cars and away from dogs, the most common way they get destroyed. Bring it to your checkups so we can inspect the fit.
Yes, and not by a small margin. A loose guard gets taken out mid-game, and an ill-fitting one can make grinding worse by changing where your teeth meet. A custom guard is thinner, stays put, and is adjusted to your bite.
Protect your athlete's smile
Whether it is a season of hockey or years of clenching, the damage is cumulative and the fix is simple. Call 970-245-1758 or book online to get fitted. We see families from across the Grand Valley at our Patterson Road office.