All About Sports Guards
Sports guards do more than just shield your teeth. They also offer protection for braces, fixed dental appliances (like bridges and dental implants), and help prevent injuries to the inside of your cheeks and lips from braces during accidents. Investing in a sports guard is a smart choice for anyone involved in activities or sports that may include falls, physical contact, or flying objects. While any sports guard is better than none, nothing compares to one crafted by your dental team, tailored specifically to fit your mouth and teeth.
So, What Are Your Options?
Stock Sports Guards
Stock sports guards are pre-formed and ready to wear, commonly found in sporting goods stores. However, they often don’t fit well, can feel bulky, and may make it hard to breathe or talk. Many athletes find these guards distracting, leading them to remove or fidget with them during the game.
Boil & Bite Sports Guards
Boil & bite sports guards come as a kit with simple instructions. You heat the guard in boiling water and then bite into the softened plastic to mold it to your teeth. These are also available at sporting goods stores and provide a better fit than stock options. However, this method isn’t ideal for everyone. If your boil & bite guard feels uncomfortable, bulky, or makes breathing or talking challenging, you might want to consider a custom-made alternative.
Custom-Made Mouth Guards
It’s no surprise that custom-made mouth guards are our top choice—and for good reason! Nothing matches the comfort and protection of a custom-fitted guard tailored specifically for your mouth. A custom sports guard offers superior fit, the highest level of protection, and unmatched comfort. And if it’s ever not quite right? We’re here to make adjustments and ensure it’s perfect, with accountability you can count on.
The Cost of a Custom Sports Guard in Long Valley
The price of a custom sports guard can differ greatly from one patient to another. For those with typical insurance coverage, the cost of a mouth guard usually falls between $100 and $300+. If you don’t have insurance, a custom mouth guard typically ranges from $150 to $350 or higher.
So, what affects the cost of a custom mouthguard? Two key factors are:
- The material used to craft your guard.
- Adjustments needed for ongoing orthodontic treatment.
It’s important to note that no dental office can give an exact quote over the phone. Your needs are as unique as your smile. To receive a precise cost estimate and explore your treatment options, you’ll need to consult with a dentist and have an oral exam. If you have dental insurance, we’re happy to provide a detailed quote for submission, so you can determine your out-of-pocket expenses before making a final 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 are designed to fit snugly over your teeth, they serve different purposes. Sports guards are specifically made to protect your mouth from impacts, while nightguards are designed to address your bite and the alignment of your teeth and jaw.
These terms all refer to the same device: a protective covering worn over your teeth to guard against injuries or minimize the severity of an injury.
Sports guards should ideally be replaced after each sports season. Over time, they can wear down, especially if the user has a habit of chewing on or misusing the guard. For adolescents, teeth can shift, causing the guard to fit improperly. Many athletes who participate in multiple sports choose to have a new guard made during their routine six-month dental checkup.
A properly fitting custom sports guard should feel comfortable in your mouth, allowing you to breathe and talk with ease. If you find yourself frequently adjusting it or removing it during a game, it may not be fitting as it should.
Any sport or activity that involves the risk of falling, physical contact with others, or being hit by equipment warrants using a sports guard. These include football, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, soccer, field hockey, water polo, cricket, ringette, curling, skateboarding, gymnastics, mountain biking, wrestling, boxing, or other high-risk or contact sports.
Yes, and it’s especially important! A sports guard not only protects your teeth but also shields your braces and prevents your lips and cheeks from being injured by the braces in case of a blow to the face.
I have a very nice smile now
My teeth feel so much more secure now
It increased the quality of my sleep
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