Protect Your Smile with the Right Sports Guard
Sports guards do more than just protect your teeth, they also safeguard dental work like braces, bridges, and implants. Plus, they shield the inside of your cheeks and lips from potential injury caused by accidents during sports. Whether you’re playing contact sports or engaging in activities with a risk of falls or flying objects, a sports guard is essential. While any guard is better than none, a custom-made guard tailored by your dental team offers the best protection and comfort.
Types of Sports Guards Available
Stock Sports Guards
Pre-formed and ready to wear, stock guards are often found at sporting goods stores. Unfortunately, they don’t fit well, may feel bulky, and can make it hard to breathe or talk. These guards often lead to distractions and are more likely to be removed during the game.
Boil & Bite Sports Guards
These guards come with a simple kit. You boil the guard and bite into it to form it to your teeth. While this option provides a better fit than stock guards, it can still feel uncomfortable or bulky, and may interfere with breathing or speech. If that’s the case, a custom sports guard is the better choice.
Custom-Made Mouth Guards
No surprises here, it’s our favourite option! A custom-made sports guard, designed specifically for your mouth, offers the best protection, comfort, and fit. If it’s ever uncomfortable, Dr. Natasha and the team are ready to make adjustments to ensure it works for you. We stand behind our work.
How Much Does a Custom Sports Guard Cost in Toronto?
The cost of a custom sports guard can vary, with prices ranging from $100 to $300+ if you have insurance. If you’re paying out of pocket, the cost can be anywhere from $150 to $350 or more.
Why is there such a difference in pricing? The main factors are:
- Material Choice: The type of material used for your custom guard will influence the price.
- Orthodontic Treatment: If you’re undergoing orthodontic care, additional adjustments may be needed, impacting the cost.
It’s important to note that dental practices cannot provide an exact quote over the phone. Every patient’s needs are different, so we will need to assess your oral health in person to determine the best solution. If you have dental insurance, we’ll be happy to provide a quote for you to submit to your provider and help you understand your potential out-of-pocket expenses.
Let’s Take Care of Your Smile - Book Today
Our caring team is here four days a week, including until 5pm and Saturdays, to make dental care work with your schedule. During your first visit, we’ll examine your teeth, gums, bite, and overall oral health. We’ll listen to your goals and concerns and create a personalized treatment plan that helps you feel confident about your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, mouthguards and nightguards serve different purposes despite their similar fit. A mouthguard is designed to protect your teeth from the impact of sports-related injuries, while a nightguard focuses on protecting your teeth and jaw from the effects of teeth grinding and clenching during sleep. Using the wrong device for the wrong purpose could lead to discomfort and insufficient protection.
These terms are used interchangeably but all refer to the same essential item: a device worn over your teeth to prevent injury. Whether you call it a sports guard, mouth guard, or mouth protector, its primary purpose is to shield your teeth from trauma and minimize the risk of damage during physical activity.
It’s important to replace your sports guard after each season to ensure it provides the best protection. Over time, guards can wear down, especially if you tend to chew on them or misuse them. For growing children or adolescents, a new sports guard is recommended at each check-up as their teeth may shift, affecting the fit.
A well-fitting sports guard should feel comfortable, stay securely in place, and allow you to breathe and talk easily. If you’re constantly adjusting it or it feels bulky, it’s a sign that the fit might not be quite right. An ill-fitting guard can cause discomfort and may not provide the full protection you need.
A sports guard is essential for any activity that involves physical contact or has a risk of injury to the face, such as football, hockey, soccer, and boxing. Even activities like gymnastics, skateboarding, or mountain biking that involve falls or impact should consider the protective benefits of a sports guard.
Absolutely! In fact, if you wear braces, it’s even more important to protect your mouth with a sports guard. It will not only safeguard your teeth but also shield your braces and the delicate soft tissues inside your lips and cheeks from painful injury in case of a blow to the face.
Yes, even non-contact sports can present a risk to your teeth. For instance, sports like skateboarding, gymnastics, mountain biking, and even tennis can result in falls or accidents that could damage your teeth. Wearing a sports guard is a preventive measure to ensure your smile stays protected, no matter the sport.
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