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The Importance of Mouthguards in Preventing Dental Injuries

Do Mouthguards Prevent Concussions? Why Custom Mouthguards Matter for Dental and Athletic Safety

By Dr. Radwa Saad

Mouthguards do far more than protect your teeth. At Dent Blanche Dental in Princeton, NJ, Dr. Radwa Saad designs custom mouthguards and splints that reduce dental injuries, protect the jaw, and help minimize concussion-related risks. Many athletes and parents ask:

  • Does a mouthguard prevent concussions?
  • Do mouthguards reduce concussions?
  • Where to get mouthguards in Princeton?
  • What is the purpose of mouthguards?

Here is everything you need to know about how custom dental guards protect your teeth—and your brain.

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The Importance of Mouthguards in Preventing Dental Injuries

The Importance of Mouthguards in Preventing Dental Injuries

What Is the Purpose of Mouthguards?
A mouthguard is a protective dental appliance that cushions the teeth, lips, gums, and jaw. It provides a shock-absorbing barrier between the upper and lower teeth and helps prevent:

  • - Broken or chipped teeth
  • - Jaw fractures
  • - Lip and cheek injuries
  • - Soft tissue trauma
  • - Tooth displacement

Athletic / Sports Mouthguards

Sports-related dental emergencies

Many patients also use mouth guards and splints to manage TMJ issues, clenching, grinding, and nighttime jaw tension.

How to Reduce Athletic Injuries

Do Mouthguards Prevent Concussions?
One of the most common questions parents ask is:
- Does a mouthguard prevent concussions?
Research shows custom mouthguards help reduce concussion risk.
When the lower jaw receives a strong blow, it can be forced upward toward the skull. This force can transmit energy to the head and contribute to certain types of concussions.

  • - A professionally made sports guard helps:
  • - Cushion the jaw joint
  • - Absorb impact
  • - Reduce force traveling to the skull
  • - Minimize upward jaw movement
  • - Lower concussion-related risks

While no mouthguard can prevent all concussions, concussion prevention mouthguards—especially custom-fitted ones—offer better protection than store-bought options.

Why Store-Bought Mouthguards Don’t Offer the Same Protection

You may wonder:

Where to get mouthguards? Should I just buy one online?

Stock and “boil-and-bite” guards fit loosely and do not stabilize the jaw effectively. Problems include:

  • - Poor retention
  • - Lower shock absorption
  • - Less protection during secondary impacts
  • - Higher risk of slipping or falling out

- Only custom mouthguards—professionally made from dental impressions—provide the level of fit needed to protect against dental trauma and jaw-triggered concussion mechanics.

Types of Mouthguards Available at Dent Blanche Dental

At Dent Blanche Dental, we offer several types of guards based on your needs.

1. Athletic / Sports Mouthguards
Ideal for children, teens, and adults in contact sports.
Benefits include:

  • - Secure, custom fit
  • - Better airflow while playing
  • - Reduced risk of broken teeth
  • - Reduced chance of concussion
  • - Protection from fractures and soft-tissue injuries

Our custom athletic mouthguards stay in place even during high-impact collisions and provide superior cushioning for the teeth and jaw.

2. Night Guards for Clenching and Grinding (Bruxism)
Chronic grinding can cause:

  • - TMJ pain
  • - Tooth fractures
  • - Migraines
  • - Worn enamel
  • - Restorations breaking

We offer:
NTI Bite Splints
Covers only upper front teeth and prevents full jaw engagement.
Full-Arch Night Guards
Covers all upper teeth using durable acrylic.
Both options help relax the jaw, prevent tooth wear, and reduce nighttime tension.

3. TMJ Splints & Specialty Guards
Some guards help with:

  • - TMJ disorder
  • - Jaw misalignment
  • - Snoring or airway issues
  • - Sleep apnea (in some cases)

We select the ideal guard based on your symptoms and dental anatomy.

How Do Mouthguards Work?

Patients often ask:


What do mouthguards do?


A mouthguard works by:

  • - Absorbing shock from direct impact
  • - Distributing force to prevent fractures
  • - Preventing the jaw from slamming into the skull
  • - Protecting soft tissues from tearing
  • - Reducing dental trauma during falls or collisions

 A custom-fitted guard stays in place and does not interfere with:

  • - Breathing
  • -Drinking
  • - Speaking
  • - Athletic performance
  • - Sleep (for night guards)

This stability is what makes dentist-made guards vastly more effective.

Where to Get Mouthguards in Princeton, NJ
If you’re looking for the highest level of protection, comfort, and durability, custom mouthguards are only available from a dental office. At Dent Blanche Dental in Princeton:

  • - We take precise impressions
  • - We design mouthguards based on your activity or diagnosis
  • - We customize thickness and materials
  • - We match team colors on sports guards
  • - Many guards can be turned around quickly

Whether you’re seeking concussion prevention mouthguards, grinding splints, or athletic guards for your child, we’ll create a custom solution tailored to your needs.

Why Choose Dent Blanche Dental for Your Mouthguard?

  • - Advanced digital scanning
  • - Perfect, comfortable fit
  • - Dentist-supervised protection
  • - High-grade materials
  • - Enhanced durability
  • - Sports-grade shock absorption
  • - TMJ-focused design options


Dr. Radwa Saad ensures your sports mouthguard fits perfectly and offers maximum strength and stability.

Schedule Your Mouthguard Appointment Today

Protect your smile—and your long-term health—with a custom athletic guard or night guard designed by Princeton’s leading cosmetic dentist, Dr. Radwa Saad.


Call Dent Blanche Dental at 609-890-1888 to schedule your custom mouthguard consultation.


Experience the peace of mind that comes with professional protection for your teeth, jaw, and overall well-being.

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About The Author

Dr. Radwa Saad, DMD, BDS, MSc, MICOI

Dr. Radwa Saad is a distinguished dentist in Princeton, NJ, renowned for her expertise in cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, and digital dentistry. As an Invisalign Preferred Provider with a Master's degree in Implant Surgery and Restoration, she leads Dent Blanche Dental, offering advanced dental care to the Princeton community.

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