All About Sports Guards
Sports guards don’t just protect your teeth. They also protect braces and fixed dental appliances (like bridges and dental implants) and protect the inside of your cheeks and lips from your braces in the event of an accident. A sports guard is a smart choice for individuals engaging in activities and sports with potential for falls, body contact, or flying equipment. While any sports guard is better than none, a custom-made guard from your dental team, tailored to fit your mouth and teeth, provides the best protection.
So What Are Your Options?
Stock Sports Guards
These pre-formed sports guards are ready to wear and can be found at sporting goods stores. However, they often don’t fit well, feel bulky in your mouth, and can make breathing or talking difficult. Athletes may find themselves distracted by these guards, leading them to take them out or play with them during the game.
Boil & Bite Sports Guards
These kits come with instructions. You boil the blank guard in water, then bite into the plastic to mold it to your teeth. They are also available at sporting goods stores and provide a better fit than stock guards, but this method may not be suitable for everyone. If your boil-and-bite guard is uncomfortable, bulky, or hinders breathing or talking, consider a custom guard.
Custom-Made Mouth Guards
Are you surprised that this is our favourite? Well, there’s a good reason for it! There’s no substitute for a personalized, custom-made mouthguard. A sports guard crafted by us will provide the best protection and be the most comfortable. And in the rare event that it’s not comfortable? We’re right here to make the adjustments, and you can hold us accountable.
The Cost Of A Custom Sports Guard In Orleans
The out-of-pocket cost for a custom sports guard can vary widely from patient to patient. With a typical insurance plan, a mouth guard usually averages out to about $100 to $300+. Without insurance, a custom mouth guard costs between $150 to $350 and up.
So why does the cost of a custom mouthguard vary? There are two major factors:
- The type of material your guard is made of.
- Consideration for ongoing orthodontic treatment.
Remember, no dental practice can provide an accurate quote over the phone. Ultimately, your needs are as unique as your smile. It’s important to speak with a dentist and undergo an oral exam to find out all your treatment options and to receive an accurate quote. If you have dental insurance, we would be happy to supply you with a quote to submit to them so you can find out your out-of-pocket costs before you make 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. Though mouthguards and nightguards are both snuggly fitted to your teeth, they’re designed to perform different functions for your teeth and jaw. Sports guards are focused on protecting your mouth from impact, and night guards are focused on your bite and the position of your teeth and jaw.
Ideally, guards should be replaced after each sports season. Mouth guards can wear down over time, especially if the wearer has a habit of chewing or abusing their appliance. Teeth can also shift in adolescents which means their guard won’t quite fit as well. Many athletes who play several sports get a new sports guard made when they go for their routine 6-month checkup.
These are all different names for the same thing: a device worn over your teeth that protects them from injury or reduces the severity of an injury.
A custom-fit sports guard should feel comfortable in your mouth, allowing you to breathe and talk easily. If you find yourself fidgeting with it or taking it out during the big game, it might not be fitting correctly.
Any sport or activity involving the risk of falling, contact with other players, or being hit by equipment warrants consideration for a sports guard. If you or your child participate in football, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, soccer, field hockey, water polo, cricket, ringette, curling, skateboarding, gymnastics, mountain biking, wrestling, boxing, or any other contact or high-risk sport, a sports guard is advisable.
You are extra encouraged to wear a sports guard! Not only does it protect your teeth, but it also protects your braces and the inside of your lips and cheeks from your braces should you be struck in the face.
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