Learn About Sports Guards
Providing more than just tooth protection, sports guards also safeguard braces, bridges, implants, and other fixed dental appliances. They help prevent injuries to the cheeks and lips, reducing the risk of cuts from braces during unexpected impacts. If you participate in activities involving falls, contact, or airborne equipment, a sports guard is a smart investment. While any guard offers some defence, a custom-fitted guard from your dental team provides the highest level of comfort and protection.
What Choices Are Available?
Stock Sports Guards
These ready-made options can be found at sporting goods stores but often lack a precise fit. They tend to feel bulky and uncomfortable, making it harder to speak and breathe naturally. Because of this, many athletes fidget with them or remove them during play, reducing their protective benefits.
Boil & Bite Sports Guards
Sold in kits with step-by-step instructions, these guards soften in hot water before being shaped to the teeth by biting into the material. They typically provide a better fit than stock guards, but the moulding process isn’t ideal for everyone. If the final fit feels awkward, too thick, or interferes with speech and breathing, a custom guard may be a better solution.
Custom-Made Mouth Guards
It’s no surprise that this is the top choice for protection and comfort. A custom-designed sports guard is created to fit your mouth precisely, ensuring maximum safety and ease of use. Unlike store-bought options, it allows for natural speech and breathing while providing the best possible protection. If any adjustments are needed, your dental team can fine-tune the fit for optimal comfort.
The Cost of a Custom Sports Guard in Trenton
The expense of a custom sports guard can vary from person to person. For those with insurance coverage, the cost typically falls between $100 and $300+, while patients without insurance can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $350 or more.
Factors That Affect the Cost of a Custom Mouth Guard
- The materials used in designing the mouth guard.
- The need for modifications due to ongoing orthodontic treatment.
Several aspects contribute to the overall price, including:
Because each patient has individual requirements, providing an accurate estimate over the phone is not possible. A consultation and oral assessment are necessary to determine the best options for your needs. If you have dental insurance, we can provide a detailed quote for submission, helping you understand any out-of-pocket costs before proceeding.
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
It is recommended to replace sports guards each season. Over time, they wear down, especially if the user tends to chew or misuse them. Additionally, teeth can shift, particularly in adolescents, causing the fit to become less secure. Many athletes who participate in multiple sports choose to update their sports guard during their routine six-month checkup to ensure continued protection and comfort.
A well-fitted custom sports guard should feel secure and comfortable, allowing for easy breathing and speaking. If you find yourself constantly adjusting or removing it during play, this may indicate that the fit is not ideal.
No, sports guards and nightguards are designed for different purposes. A sports guard is intended to protect teeth from impact during physical activity, while a nightguard is designed to address bite alignment and prevent teeth grinding during sleep.
Absolutely! Wearing a sports guard is especially important for those with braces. It not only protects your teeth but also provides a barrier between your braces and the inside of your lips and cheeks, reducing the risk of injury in the event of impact.
- Sports Guard – A protective device worn over the teeth during sports to prevent impact injuries and support overall oral health.
- Mouth Guard – A general term for any device that covers the teeth and gums, safeguarding them from trauma, grinding, or injury while delivering key medical benefits.
- Mouth Protector – Essentially another term for a mouth guard, often used interchangeably, but sometimes denoting specialised high-impact protection in both sports and clinical settings.
Any sport that involves physical contact, falls, or potential impact from equipment poses a risk of dental injuries. Activities such as football, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, soccer, field hockey, water polo, cricket, ringette, curling, skateboarding, gymnastics, mountain biking, wrestling, and boxing all carry a higher chance of mouth injuries. For anyone participating in these or other high-impact sports, wearing a properly fitted sports guard is an effective way to protect teeth and reduce injury risk.
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