Today we’d like to introduce you to David Frey.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The idea for a truly custom-fit mouthguard—without the need for a dentist or expensive lab fees—was born from a moment of frustration. I was watching my 8-year-old son struggle to mold a traditional boil-and-bite mouthguard, and as a dentist, I knew there had to be a better way.
In my practice, I often used a silicone impression material called PVS. It struck me: what if athletes could use this same material to create their own mouthguard—no boiling, no microwaving, no mess? Just a fast, painless, professional-level fit.
That insight led to the creation of the Zone Mouthguard, using a two-part putty that molds instantly without heat. To bring the concept to life, I partnered with MINIMAL, a top product development firm led by former Nike Global Creative Director Scott Wilson. Together, we spent over a year refining the design, developing custom materials, and building a brand from the ground up.
In 2015, we secured an exclusive national launch with DICK’S Sporting Goods—and Zone was officially born. Today, the Zone Mouthguard is available nationwide, giving athletes of all ages a high-performance, affordable alternative to traditional mouthguards.
What started as a way to help my son quickly became a patented innovation protecting smiles across the country.
Since sports mouthguards aren’t regulated by the FDA (as they make no medical claims), we took the next step and sought FDA clearance for a version designed specifically for TMJ sufferers. In 2023, that vision became reality when the FDA cleared our Clench Relief Mouthguard—a new device offering the same ease and custom fit, now with therapeutic benefits for those living with jaw pain and clenching.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Launching a product without a dedicated financier is incredibly challenging—you’re constantly balancing risk and uncertainty, never knowing for sure if your investment will pay off.
The costs pile up quickly: legal fees for patents, trademarks, and operating agreements; product design and development; manufacturing; FDA filings; and, of course, marketing and distribution. Each step requires capital and trust in your vision.
One of our biggest early setbacks came when our initial financial partner failed to deliver the funding they had promised. That created major delays and forced us to find creative ways to keep the project moving forward.
Bringing a new product to platforms like Facebook and Amazon was another unexpected hurdle. They require extensive branding documentation and compliance, and even then, we experienced random account shutdowns and sales interruptions—often for reasons that made little sense and were difficult to resolve. It was frustrating, but it pushed us to become more resilient and resourceful.
Despite the obstacles, we kept moving forward—and that persistence is what brought Zone and Clench Relief to market.
We’ve been impressed with David S. Frey DDS, INC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m a dentist by trade and the founder of Perfect White Smile, a Beverly Hills-based practice known for combining aesthetic and physiologic dentistry. For over 35 years, I’ve specialized in full mouth reconstructions, TMJ treatment, bite correction, and smile makeovers—serving everyone from local patients to international clients, including celebrities and professional athletes.
From this foundation, I built what I call my “mini empire”—launching two innovative products born directly out of the problems I saw in my practice.
The first is the Zone Mouthguard, a custom-fit sports mouthguard that doesn’t require boiling or a dentist. It was inspired by watching my 8-year-old son struggle with a traditional boil-and-bite guard. I invented a new way to get a professional fit using dental-grade putty—no heat, no hassle. It’s now sold nationwide at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
The second is Clench Relief, an FDA-cleared medical mouthpiece for people suffering from TMJ, clenching, and grinding. It offers immediate relief using the same no-boil custom-fit process—and is now helping people across the country who have struggled to find solutions.
What sets us apart is that everything I’ve built is rooted in clinical need, not just commercial opportunity. I saw real gaps in care—things that didn’t exist unless you went to a high-end dentist—and created solutions that anyone could use, at a fraction of the cost.
What I’m most proud of brand-wise is that we didn’t just create products—we created access. Whether it’s a mouthguard for a young athlete or a TMJ solution for someone living in pain, our mission is about helping people live better, one bite at a time.
Visit us at www.perfectwhitesmile.com, www.zonemouthguard.com, and www.clenchrelief.com to learn more.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a kind, curious kid with a strong desire to help people—something I definitely got from my father, who was a pharmacist. Watching him care for others and build relationships through his work made a big impression on me. I knew early on that I wanted to pursue a profession that had purpose, where I could make a real difference in people’s lives.
I also had an entrepreneurial streak from a young age. I was always coming up with little business ideas—whether it was selling things to neighbors or figuring out how to turn a hobby into a hustle. I loved solving problems, thinking creatively, and connecting with people. Making friends came naturally to me, and I think that drive to build relationships and offer value has stuck with me throughout my life and career.
Those qualities—being service-minded, inventive, and relationship-driven—are still at the heart of everything I do today.
Pricing:
- zone mouthguard 3o–40 dollars
- clench relief mouthguard 249 dollars
- Perfect White Smile ranges
