Made-to-fit guards that protect your teeth, on the pitch and in your sleep. A custom sports guard for contact sport, and a night guard if you grind or clench. Both fit far better than anything you can buy in a shop.
Tell us when suits and we will call you back to arrange it. No obligation.
Treatment Overview
What is aMouthguard?
A mouthguard is a custom-made cover that fits over your teeth to protect them. We make two main kinds here. A sports mouthguard, worn during contact sport to protect your teeth from knocks. And a night guard, worn while you sleep to protect your teeth if you grind or clench them. Both are made to fit your mouth exactly, which is what makes them work.
A sports mouthguard cushions a blow to the mouth and spreads the force, which helps protect your teeth, lips and jaw during sport like rugby, hockey, boxing and martial arts. A guard made to fit you is far better than a shop-bought "boil-and-bite" one, which is bulky, moves around, and makes it harder to breathe and talk. Ours are made from a mould of your teeth, so they sit snugly, stay put and let you focus on the game. They come in a range of colours.
A night guard is for grinding or clenching, which many people do in their sleep without knowing until their teeth start to wear or a partner mentions it. Grinding, sometimes called bruxism, wears the teeth down and strains the jaw, and a slim custom guard worn at night protects the teeth and takes the pressure off. We make night guards here. Because grinding often goes hand in hand with jaw pain and headaches, that side of things is covered in more detail under our Specialist Treatments. If grinding is your main concern, start there.
Whichever guard you need, the process is comfortable and simple. We take a mould or a digital scan of your teeth, a dental lab makes the guard to match, and we check it fits properly when it is ready. No drilling, no injections, nothing to be nervous about.
You may need a mouthguard if
You or your child play a contact sport
You take part in boxing, rugby, hockey or martial arts
You grind or clench your teeth, day or night
You wake with jaw ache, headaches or worn teeth
A partner has mentioned you grind in your sleep
You want better protection than a shop-bought guard
Why a custom guard is worth it
Made from a mould of your own teeth, so it fits snugly
Stays put, rather than moving around like a shop-bought one
More comfortable, so you actually wear it
Lets you breathe and talk more easily during sport
Protects teeth, lips and jaw from knocks
Lasts longer and does its job properly
Book your appointment
Custom sports guards and night guards, made to fit.
Longer appointments, so we can talk through your concerns and give you a break if you need one.
Almost pain-free injections
The Wand numbs you without the big needle or the sting. Most patients are surprised how easy it is.
Digital X-rays
We diagnose faster, more accurately and with far less radiation than older film.
A hand to hold
Bring a partner in, or hold a nurse's hand. If you ever need us, we respond the same day.
About Waterside Dental
Your private dental practicein Hythe.
Waterside Dental is a private practice in Hythe, owned and led by principal dentist Dr Nikos Louskos since 2017. It has recently been refurbished to feel more like home than a clinic, and is run by a small, hand-picked team — so you'll always see a familiar face.
Care here is unhurried and patient-led. Appointments are longer so concerns can be talked through properly, treatment is explained in plain language, and nothing is rushed — with breaks during longer procedures whenever you need them.
We welcome private patients from Hythe and across Southampton — whether you're registering as a new patient or visiting for a single course of treatment while staying with your current dentist.
"I firmly believe that dentistry doesn't have to be unpleasant or scary, and that often it can be life-changing."
DR NIKOS LOUSKOS
Our Principal Dentist
Meet Dr NikosLouskos.
DDS · MSc Endodontics · GDC No. 102626
Principal dentist and practice owner, with a special interest in endodontics.
Dr Nikos Louskos qualified in Athens in 2005 and moved to the UK in 2006. He worked as an associate at Waterside before taking ownership of the practice in 2017.
In 2016 he completed a Master's in Endodontic Practice at Queen Mary University of London. He accepts referrals for complex root canal cases, which he treats under a microscope, and enjoys all aspects of general dentistry.
Nobody wants surprises after a dental visit. You'll get an itemised treatment plan with exact costs before anything begins, plus monthly payment options to spread the cost.
Finance is provided by Tabeo and is interest-bearing from 9.9% APR. Practice-plan discounts apply to selected treatments — full terms are listed on the Fees and Plans pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions patientsask us.
A few of the things patients ask us most often. If your question isn't here, just get in touch — we're happy to talk it through.
A shop-bought "boil-and-bite" guard is better than nothing, but it is bulky, moves around, and makes it harder to breathe and talk. A guard made from a mould of your own teeth fits snugly, stays put, and is far more comfortable, which means you are much more likely to actually wear it.
Any sport where there is a risk of a knock to the mouth. Rugby, hockey, boxing and martial arts are the obvious ones, but plenty of others carry a risk too. If you are not sure, ask us and we will give you our honest view.
It protects your teeth if you grind or clench them, usually in your sleep. Grinding, sometimes called bruxism, wears the teeth down over time and strains the jaw. A slim custom guard worn at night takes the ressure off and protects your teeth.
Many people do not, until their teeth start to wear, they wake with jaw ache or headaches, or a partner mentions the noise. If any of that sounds familiar, mention it at a check-up and we will take a look. Grinding and jaw pain are covered in more detail under our Specialist Treatments.
Yes. Ours is made to fit your teeth exactly, from a mould or a scan, so it is comfortable and does its job properly. A shop-bought one is one-size and often ends up unworn in a drawer.
We take a mould or a digital scan of your eeth, a dental lab makes the guard to match, and we check the fit when it is ready. There is no drilling and no injection, so there is nothing to be nervous about.
Yes, and it is a good idea if they play a contact sport. One thing to keep in mind is that children's mouths are still growing, so a guard may need remaking as their teeth change. We will let you know what to expect.
The price depends on the type of guard, so it is not listed as a single item. Ask us at your appointment and we will give you a clear cost before anything is made. You always get an itemised price up front.
Whether you'd like to book or just have a question about treatment, send us a message and a member of the team will get back to you — the same day wherever we can.
