Why Sports Guards Matter
A custom sports guard does more than protect your teeth. It also cushions braces, bridges, and dental implants while helping prevent injuries to the cheeks, lips, and tongue, especially during contact sports or activities with a risk of falls or impact. While store-bought guards offer some protection, a professionally made guard from your dental team provides a secure, comfortable fit that is tailored to your unique bite. It is a smart way to reduce the risk of serious dental injury.
Choosing the Right Sports Guard for Your Needs
Stock Sports Guards
These ready-to-wear guards are pre-formed and available at most sporting goods stores. While convenient, they often do not provide a snug fit and can feel bulky in the mouth. Many athletes find them uncomfortable, which leads to distractions, difficulty breathing or speaking, and a tendency to remove them during play.
Boil and Bite Sports Guards
Boil and bite guards come with simple instructions and are also sold at sporting goods stores. After boiling the guard, you bite into it to mould it to your teeth. This offers a better fit than stock guards but can still feel bulky or awkward for some users. If it affects your breathing or speech, a custom-made option may be more suitable.
Custom-Made Sports Guards
Custom sports guards made by your dental team offer the best combination of comfort and protection. Because they’re designed specifically for your mouth, they fit securely, making it easier to breathe, speak, and focus during physical activity. They’re especially helpful for patients with braces, implants, or other dental work. And if any adjustments are needed, we’re right here to help.
The cost of a custom sports guard in Gravenhurst
Just like every smile is different, the cost of a custom sports guard can vary from patient to patient. With insurance, many plans will cover a good portion of the cost, bringing it down to around $100 to $300 out of pocket. Without insurance, a custom mouth guard usually falls between $150 to $350 or more.
So why the range? A few things come into play:
- The material used to make your guard.
- Whether you’re currently in braces or undergoing other dental treatment.
No dental office can give an exact quote over the phone, since your needs have to be assessed in person. If you have insurance, we’re happy to provide a quote for you to submit so you can find out what your plan covers before moving forward. A custom sports guard is a simple step that can prevent serious dental injuries, and it’s tailored just for you.
Contact Us Today
to schedule your first visit.
During this appointment, we will carefully examine your teeth, gums, soft tissues, and the way your bite functions as a whole. Our goal is to understand not only the health of your mouth but also how everything works together to support your smile. Before recommending a treatment plan, we take the time to learn about your concerns, your goals, and the results you hope to achieve. This allows us to create care that is personalized, effective, and focused on helping you maintain a healthy and confident smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone involved in contact sports or activities where falls, collisions, or flying objects are common should wear a sports guard. This includes sports like hockey, football, rugby, martial arts, and even skateboarding or mountain biking.
Over-the-counter guards like stock or boil-and-bite versions tend to be bulky, uncomfortable, and offer limited protection. A custom-made guard from your dental team is designed to fit your teeth perfectly, offering better comfort and superior protection, especially for those with dental work or orthodontics.
Yes, and they absolutely should. A sports guard protects the teeth and also shields the inside of the lips and cheeks from braces during impact. It’s especially important for active kids and teens undergoing orthodontic treatment.
We start by taking a digital or physical impression of your teeth. This ensures your guard is custom-fit to your bite for maximum comfort and protection. Once ready, we check that it stays in place and feels comfortable before you take it home.
While no guard can completely prevent a concussion, a well-made guard can reduce the force of an impact to the jaw and skull, helping to lower the risk of injury.
After each use, rinse it with cool water and brush it gently with a toothbrush. Keep it in a ventilated case when not in use, and bring it to your regular dental checkups so we can make sure it still fits properly.
A guard should be replaced if it becomes worn, damaged, or doesn’t fit well. Children and teens may need new guards more frequently as their mouths grow or as their teeth shift from orthodontic treatment.
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