All About Sports Guards
Sports guards provide more than just tooth protection. They are essential for safeguarding braces and fixed dental appliances like bridges and dental implants, while also protecting the inside of your cheeks and lips from potential braces-related injuries during accidents. Choosing a sports guard is a smart decision for anyone involved in activities or sports that carry a risk of falls, physical contact, or flying objects. While any sports guard offers some protection, nothing compares to a custom-made guard crafted by your dental team for a precise fit tailored to your mouth.
So What Are Your Options?
Stock Sports Guards
These pre-made sports guards are easily accessible at sporting goods stores. However, they often don’t fit well, feeling bulky and making it challenging to breathe and speak comfortably. Many athletes find these guards distracting and tend to remove or adjust them frequently during play.
Boil & Bite Sports Guards
This type of guard is provided in a kit with instructions. The process involves softening the blank guard in boiling water and then biting into it to mould it to your teeth. Typically available at sporting goods stores, they offer a better fit than stock guards. However, they aren’t ideal for everyone. If your boil-and-bite guard feels awkward, bulky, or interferes with your ability to breathe or speak, you may want to opt for a custom-made guard.
Custom-Made Mouth Guards
Unsurprisingly, this is our top choice—and for good reason! A custom-made sports guard is tailored specifically to fit your mouth, providing unparalleled protection and comfort. If adjustments are needed, our team is here to ensure it fits perfectly and meets your satisfaction.
The Cost of a Custom Sports Guard in Toronto
The price of a custom sports guard can vary significantly depending on individual factors and out-of-pocket expenses. With standard insurance coverage, the typical cost for a mouthguard ranges from $100 to $300 or more. Without insurance, the cost is generally between $150 and $350 or higher.
What influences the cost of a custom mouthguard? Two primary factors include:
- The material used to create the guard.
- Any necessary adjustments for ongoing orthodontic treatment.
It’s essential to understand that dental practices cannot provide a precise quote over the phone. Your needs are unique, just like your smile. Scheduling an oral exam with a dentist is crucial to exploring all your treatment options and obtaining an accurate estimate. If you have dental insurance, we can supply you with a detailed quote for submission, helping you determine your out-of-pocket expenses before making a decision.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both mouthguards and nightguards fit snugly over your teeth, they are designed for different purposes. Sports guards are meant to protect your mouth from physical impact, while nightguards are focused on your bite and the alignment of your teeth and jaw.
These terms all refer to the same device: a protective appliance worn over your teeth to shield them from injury or reduce the severity of damage.
Sports guards should ideally be replaced after each season. Over time, they can wear out, particularly if the wearer has a habit of chewing or mishandling them. Adolescents may also experience changes in tooth alignment, which can impact the guard’s fit. Many athletes who participate in multiple sports opt to have a new guard made during their regular 6-month dental checkup.
A well-fitting custom sports guard should feel comfortable in your mouth. It should not make it difficult to breathe or talk. If you find yourself frequently adjusting it or removing it during games, it likely doesn’t fit properly.
A sports guard is recommended for any activity where there is a risk of falling, contact with other players, or being struck by equipment. This includes football, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, soccer, field hockey, water polo, cricket, ringette, curling, skateboarding, gymnastics, mountain biking, wrestling, boxing, or other high-risk sports.
Absolutely! In fact, wearing a sports guard is even more important if you have braces. It not only protects your teeth but also shields your braces and the inside of your lips and cheeks from injury if you are hit in the face.
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