All About Sports Guards
Sports guards do more than protect your teeth—they shield braces, implants, and other dental work while preventing injuries to your cheeks and lips. Essential for activities involving falls, contact, or flying equipment, a sports guard is a smart investment in your safety. While any guard is better than none, a custom-made guard from your dentist offers the best fit, comfort, and protection.
So What Are Your Options?
Stock Sports Guards
These come pre-formed and ready to wear, available at sporting goods stores. However, they often don’t fit well, feel bulky, and can make breathing or talking difficult. Many athletes find them distracting and either remove them or play with them during the game.
Boil & Bite Sports Guards
These kits come with instructions to soften the guard in hot water before biting into the plastic to mould it to your teeth. While they offer a better fit than stock guards, they may still feel uncomfortable or restrictive. If your boil & bite guard makes it difficult to breathe, talk, or feels bulky, you may want to consider a custom-made option.
Custom-Made Mouth Guards
Are you surprised this is our favourite? With good reason! A custom-made sports guard offers the best fit, maximum protection, and superior comfort. And if it’s not quite right? We’re here to make adjustments, ensuring you get a perfect fit and the best protection possible.
The Cost Of A Custom Sports Guard In Orillia
The price of a custom sports guard can vary significantly depending on individual needs. Without insurance, the cost typically ranges between $150 and $350 or more.
Several factors influence the price of a custom mouthguard. One key consideration is the type of material used, as different materials offer varying levels of durability, comfort, and protection. Another important factor is whether you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, as braces or other dental appliances may require special adjustments to ensure a proper fit.
Since every patient’s needs are unique, an accurate cost estimate cannot be provided over the phone. The best way to determine the price of your custom sports guard is to consult with a dentist, who will conduct an oral exam and discuss your specific requirements. If you have dental insurance, we can provide a detailed quote for you to submit, allowing you to confirm your out-of-pocket expenses before making 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. While both mouthguards and nightguards are custom-fitted, they serve different purposes. A sports guard is designed to protect your mouth from impact, while a nightguard focuses on preventing teeth grinding and maintaining jaw alignment.
These terms all refer to the same device—a protective appliance worn over your teeth to prevent or reduce the severity of injuries.
Ideally, sports guards should be replaced after each season. Over time, they wear down, especially if frequently chewed on. For adolescents, shifting teeth can lead to an improper fit. Many athletes who play multiple sports get a new sports guard during their routine 6-month dental checkup.
A well-fitted sports guard should feel comfortable, allowing you to breathe and talk easily. If you find yourself adjusting or removing it during play, it likely doesn’t fit correctly and may need to be replaced.
A sports guard is recommended for any activity where there’s a risk of falls, player contact, or impact from equipment. This includes football, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, soccer, field hockey, water polo, cricket, ringette, curling, skateboarding, gymnastics, mountain biking, wrestling, boxing, and any other contact or high-risk sport.
Absolutely! In fact, if you have braces, wearing a sports guard is even more important. It protects your teeth, braces, and the soft tissues of your lips and cheeks from potential injuries caused by impact.
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