All About Sports Guards
Sports guards do more than just protect your teeth. They also safeguard braces, bridges, dental implants, and the inside of your cheeks and lips from potential injuries during accidents. Investing in a sports guard is highly recommended for anyone involved in activities or sports that include falls, physical contact, or flying equipment. While any sports guard offers some protection, a custom-made guard from your dental team provides the best fit and maximum protection tailored specifically to your mouth and teeth.
So What Are Your Options?
When it comes to choosing the right sports guard, you have three main options to consider:
Stock Sports Guards
Stock sports guards are ready-to-wear and can be purchased at most sporting goods stores. While they offer immediate protection, they often suffer from poor fit, making them feel bulky and uncomfortable. This discomfort can make it hard to breathe or talk and may cause athletes to remove or adjust the guard during activities, compromising their effectiveness.
Boil & Bite Sports Guards
Boil & bite guards come with instructions that allow you to mold them to your teeth at home. You simply boil the guard to soften the plastic, then bite into it to create a custom shape. These guards provide a better fit than stock options and are also available at sporting goods stores. However, not everyone finds them comfortable, and they can still feel bulky or interfere with breathing and speaking. If a boil & bite guard doesn’t fit well, a custom-made option might be a more comfortable and effective choice.
Custom-Made Mouth Guards
Our top recommendation is custom-made mouthguards, and for good reason! These guards are tailored specifically to fit the unique shape of your mouth by our dental professionals. Custom mouthguards offer the best protection and highest level of comfort, ensuring they stay securely in place without feeling bulky. Plus, if you ever experience any discomfort, we’re here to make adjustments to ensure your guard fits perfectly. Investing in a custom guard means you get personalized protection that enhances your performance and keeps your smile safe during any sport.
Choosing the right mouthguard is crucial for both your comfort and safety. Talk to our team to find out which option is best suited for your specific sports activities and dental needs!
The Cost Of A Custom Sports Guard In Guelph
The price of a custom sports guard in Guelph can vary widely based on individual circumstances. With standard insurance coverage, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $300 or more for a mouthguard. If you don’t have insurance, the cost typically ranges between $150 and $350, and may be higher depending on specific needs.
Several elements influence the cost of a custom mouthguard:
- Material Selection: The type of materials used in crafting the guard can significantly affect the price. Higher-quality materials often provide better protection and comfort.
- Orthodontic Considerations: If you’re undergoing orthodontic treatments like braces, the mouthguard may need to be specially designed to accommodate these appliances, which can increase the overall cost.
It’s important to understand that dental practices cannot provide an exact price for a mouthguard over the phone. Each mouthguard is uniquely tailored to fit your smile, making an in-person consultation essential for an accurate estimate. During your visit, the dentist will perform an oral examination and discuss your specific needs to determine the best treatment options and provide a precise quote.
If you have dental insurance, we’re happy to assist you in obtaining a detailed quote to submit to your insurance provider. This way, you can clearly understand your out-of-pocket expenses before making a decision. Investing in a custom sports guard ensures optimal protection and comfort, customized specifically for your dental requirements.
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, you shouldn’t use a mouthguard as a nightguard. While both devices fit snugly over your teeth, they serve different purposes. Mouthguards, especially sports guards, are designed to protect your mouth from impacts during physical activities. Nightguards, on the other hand, are specifically made to address teeth grinding and clenching at night, helping to maintain your bite and alleviate jaw discomfort. Using a mouthguard as a nightguard won’t provide the necessary support for your bite and could lead to inadequate protection or discomfort.
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they generally refer to the same type of device: a protective mouthpiece worn over your teeth. Whether you call it a sports guard, mouthguard, or mouth protector, its primary function is to shield your teeth, braces, and soft tissues from injuries during sports or other activities. The terminology might vary based on personal preference or specific usage, but the essential purpose remains the same—to prevent dental injuries and reduce the severity of impacts to your mouth.
Ideally, sports guards should be replaced after each sports season. Over time, they can wear down, especially if you chew on them or handle them roughly. Additionally, as adolescents grow and their teeth shift, a guard may no longer fit properly. Many athletes who participate in multiple sports opt to get a new sports guard during their routine 6-month dental checkups to ensure ongoing protection and a proper fit.
A well-fitting custom sports guard should feel comfortable in your mouth, allowing you to breathe and talk easily. It shouldn’t feel bulky or cause discomfort. If you find yourself fidgeting with the guard or removing it during intense moments in the game, it might not be fitting correctly. A good fit means the guard stays securely in place without interfering with your breathing or speaking, providing effective protection while you play.
Any sport or activity where there’s a risk of falls, collisions, or being hit by equipment can benefit from wearing a sports guard. This includes:
- Contact Sports: Football, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, wrestling, boxing
- High-Risk Sports: Skateboarding, gymnastics, mountain biking, water polo
- Ball Sports: Baseball, cricket, softball
- Other Activities: Ringette, curling
If you or your child participate in any of these activities, a sports guard is essential to protect your teeth, braces, and soft tissues from potential injuries.
Absolutely! In fact, wearing a sports guard is even more important if you have braces. A sports guard not only protects your teeth but also shields your braces and the inside of your lips and cheeks from impacts during sports or physical activities. This extra layer of protection helps prevent damage to your orthodontic appliances and reduces the risk of mouth injuries, ensuring you stay active and safe.
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