Cazes Family Dentistry - Long Valley

Sports Guards in Long Valley

Sports guards provide more than just protection for your teeth. They safeguard braces, fixed dental appliances (such as bridges and dental implants), and shield the insides of your cheeks and lips from potential injuries caused by braces during accidents.
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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.

Google Verified Patient Reviews

Lisa Osborne
1 month ago
Had not been to a dentist since before COVID and was anxious opening my mouth that had obvious cavities, coffee staining, a few chipped teeth plus one completely shattered molar. The entire staff was very welcoming and friendly. They seem so much more than simply coworkers. They are warm, kind and function well while working in a small office. Dr. Cazes is incredibly knowledgeable and skilled, but more importantly he listens to the patient to understand their comfort level, their concerns and their long term objectives. He easily disarms his clients with grace, compassion and respect. He explains exactly what he is doing and stops immediately if his patient needs a moment or has a question. Dr. Cazes and his staff are genuine and work at the patients’ comfort level to improve their smile, long term management of their teeth health; and in doing so, improve their patients’ self-confidence. I highly recommend Dr. Cazes and Cazes Family Dentistry to anyone dissatisfied with their current dentist and those whose teeth haven’t seen a professional in a while. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
More
Pauline
1 month ago
Top Notch Dentistry! That’s what comes to mind when I think of The Cazes and their entire staff. I know that when I go for a check up they will be thorough. They’ve always done a wonderful job in every procedure I’ve ever needed. They make visiting the dentist a most stress free and calming experience. I highly recommend them. 😁
More
Pat Brennan
1 month ago
Extremely happy with everyone I encountered today . Dr Jay took the time to listen to me and explain things with great care. I am now making Cazes Family Dentistry my new forever dental practice. Thank you so very much for being so professional. The staff as well as doctors are amazing. You could not ask for a better dental practice.
More
Matthew Croker
4 months ago
Amazing practice! Every staff member is friendly and comforting. They are very focused on your comfort and ensuring it's as pain-free and anxiety free. They adjust the plan to what you need at that appointment and worked to ensure my biggest issues were solved first. I can't speak highly enough of everyone here.
More
amanda muino
5 months ago
Amazing! The Staff at Cazes is so warm and welcoming. As someone who is not at all a dentist person, from the moment I walked in I felt extremely comfortable. Dr. Janice was able to fit me and immediately removed the wisdom tooth that was causing me discomfort. Will most definitely be using their office moving forward for myself and family members. They also see children! Highly recommended!
More
Lisa Osborne
1 month ago
Had not been to a dentist since before COVID and was anxious opening my mouth that had obvious cavities, coffee staining, a few chipped teeth plus one completely shattered molar. The entire staff was very welcoming and friendly. They seem so much more than simply coworkers. They are warm, kind and function well while working in a small office. Dr. Cazes is incredibly knowledgeable and skilled, but more importantly he listens to the patient to understand their comfort level, their concerns and their long term objectives. He easily disarms his clients with grace, compassion and respect. He explains exactly what he is doing and stops immediately if his patient needs a moment or has a question. Dr. Cazes and his staff are genuine and work at the patients’ comfort level to improve their smile, long term management of their teeth health; and in doing so, improve their patients’ self-confidence. I highly recommend Dr. Cazes and Cazes Family Dentistry to anyone dissatisfied with their current dentist and those whose teeth haven’t seen a professional in a while. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
More
Pauline
1 month ago
Top Notch Dentistry! That’s what comes to mind when I think of The Cazes and their entire staff. I know that when I go for a check up they will be thorough. They’ve always done a wonderful job in every procedure I’ve ever needed. They make visiting the dentist a most stress free and calming experience. I highly recommend them. 😁
More
Pat Brennan
1 month ago
Extremely happy with everyone I encountered today . Dr Jay took the time to listen to me and explain things with great care. I am now making Cazes Family Dentistry my new forever dental practice. Thank you so very much for being so professional. The staff as well as doctors are amazing. You could not ask for a better dental practice.
More
Matthew Croker
4 months ago
Amazing practice! Every staff member is friendly and comforting. They are very focused on your comfort and ensuring it's as pain-free and anxiety free. They adjust the plan to what you need at that appointment and worked to ensure my biggest issues were solved first. I can't speak highly enough of everyone here.
More
amanda muino
5 months ago
Amazing! The Staff at Cazes is so warm and welcoming. As someone who is not at all a dentist person, from the moment I walked in I felt extremely comfortable. Dr. Janice was able to fit me and immediately removed the wisdom tooth that was causing me discomfort. Will most definitely be using their office moving forward for myself and family members. They also see children! Highly recommended!
More
Cazes Family Dentistry - Long Valley

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Call 908-503-5819