All About Sports Guards
Sports guards protect more than just teeth—they also shield braces, bridges, implants, other dental appliances, and the soft tissues inside your mouth from injury. Whether you’re playing contact sports or participating in activities with a risk of falls or flying objects, a sports guard is a smart investment. While any guard is better than none, a custom-made one from your dental team offers the best fit, comfort, and protection.
What Are Your Sports Guard Options?
Stock Sports Guards
These pre-formed guards are widely available at sporting goods stores, but they often fit poorly, feel bulky, and can make it hard to breathe or speak. Many athletes end up removing them during play, reducing their effectiveness.
Boil & Bite Sports Guards
Boil-and-bite guards are softened in hot water and shaped by biting into them. They offer a better fit than stock versions but can still feel uncomfortable or bulky. If you’re struggling to breathe or talk with one in, a custom option may be better.
Custom-Made Mouth Guards
Made just for you by your dental team, these guards offer the highest level of protection and comfort. Custom-fit guards stay securely in place, allow for easy breathing and speaking, and can be adjusted if needed—making them the best choice for serious athletes.
Cost of a Custom Sports Guard in Belleville
The cost of a custom sports guard typically ranges from $100 to $300+ with insurance, or $150 to $350+ without coverage. Prices vary depending on the material used and whether orthodontic treatment needs to be accommodated.
Because each case is unique, it’s important to have an oral exam to receive an accurate quote. If you have insurance, we’re happy to provide an estimate to help you determine your exact out-of-pocket cost before moving forward.
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 they may look similar, sports guards and nightguards serve different purposes. A sports guard protects your teeth and mouth from impact during physical activity, whereas a nightguard is designed to prevent teeth grinding and maintain proper jaw alignment during sleep.
Although often used interchangeably, each term can highlight a slightly different aspect of the same protective device:
- Sports Guard: Specifically designed for athletic use, a sports guard is worn during physical activities or contact sports to protect teeth, gums, and soft tissues from injury.
- Mouthguard: A general term referring to any oral appliance that covers the teeth to prevent damage. Mouthguards can be used in sports or at night to address teeth grinding or jaw alignment.
- Mouth Protector: Another name for a sports mouthguard, emphasizing its role in reducing the severity of dental injuries caused by sudden impact.
All three refer to a device that fits over your teeth to help prevent injury during sports or high-risk activities—but their use, design, and function can vary depending on the context.
Most sports guards should be replaced every season. Over time, they can wear down—especially if the wearer chews on them—and may no longer offer proper protection. Growing teens may also need new guards more frequently due to changes in tooth alignment.
A well-fitting sports guard should feel comfortable and stay securely in place without making it difficult to breathe or speak. If it feels bulky, shifts in your mouth, or causes discomfort, it may need to be adjusted or replaced.
Sports guards are recommended for any activity with a risk of falls, contact, or flying equipment. This includes football, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, soccer, field hockey, water polo, cricket, ringette, curling, skateboarding, gymnastics, mountain biking, wrestling, and boxing, among others.
Absolutely. In fact, wearing a sports guard is even more important with braces. It helps protect your teeth, appliances, and the soft tissues of your mouth from injury during impact.
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