Why Sports Guards Are Essential for Your Protection
Sports guards don’t just protect your teeth. They also safeguard braces, dental implants, and fixed dental appliances like bridges and dental implants. Additionally, they help protect the inside of your cheeks and lips from injury caused by braces during an accident. A sports guard is a smart investment for anyone involved in activities or sports that carry the risk of falls, body contact, or flying equipment. While any sports guard is better than none, nothing beats a custom-made guard crafted by your dental team, designed specifically for your mouth and teeth.
Your Sports Guard Options
Stock Sports Guards
These pre-formed, ready-to-wear guards are available at sporting goods stores. While they offer basic protection, they often don’t fit properly, can feel bulky, and may make it difficult to breathe or talk. Athletes sometimes find themselves distracted by these guards, removing or adjusting them during the game.
Boil & Bite Sports Guards
These are sold in kits with instructions. After boiling the guard, you bite into the plastic to mould it to your teeth. While these guards provide a better fit than stock versions, they may still be uncomfortable, bulky, or difficult to breathe or talk with. If this is the case, a custom-made guard may be the best solution.
Custom-Made Mouth Guards
This is our top recommendation, and for good reason! Custom-made sports guards are individually crafted to ensure a perfect fit, superior protection, and the highest level of comfort. If your guard isn’t comfortable, we’re here to make adjustments until it’s just right, and you can hold us accountable for the perfect fit.
Cost of a Custom Sports Guard in Ottawa
The cost of a custom sports guard in Ottawa can vary depending on a number of factors. With most insurance plans, a custom mouth guard typically ranges from $100 to $300+, while without insurance, the cost usually falls between $150 and $350 or more.
Why does the cost of a custom mouth guard vary?
There are two key factors that influence the cost:
- The material used for the guard
- Any consideration for ongoing orthodontic treatments
It’s important to note that no dental practice can provide an exact quote over the phone. Your needs are unique, just like your smile, so it’s essential to have a consultation and oral exam with a dentist to explore all your treatment options and receive an accurate quote. If you have dental insurance, we are happy to provide you with a quote for submission so you can determine your out-of-pocket costs before making a decision.
Contact us today
Schedule your initial consultation and exam with our team.
During your visit, we will examine your teeth, gums, soft tissues, and the overall condition of your bite. Our goal is to understand how your entire mouth looks and functions. Before creating a treatment plan, we take the time to assess both the health and appearance of your smile, and most importantly, learn about your personal goals so we can help you achieve them.
Frequently Asked Questions
While both mouthguards and night guards serve to protect your teeth, they are designed for different purposes. Mouthguards are intended for sports and physical activity, while night guards are specifically designed to protect your teeth from grinding and clenching while you sleep. If you grind your teeth at night, a custom night guard is recommended for better protection.
A sports guard, mouth guard, and mouth protector are all designed to protect your teeth, but they differ in their intended use. A sports guard is meant for physical sports where there’s a risk of impact or injury. A mouth guard provides general protection for your teeth, and a mouth protector is a more general term often used interchangeably with both. The difference mainly lies in the design, fit, and material used for each specific purpose.
A properly fitting sports guard should feel snug and comfortable in your mouth. It should cover your teeth securely without causing discomfort or making it hard to breathe or speak. If your guard feels too tight or loose, or if it causes any pain, it may not be the right fit, and you should consider having it adjusted or replaced.
The lifespan of a sports guard depends on the material and how frequently it’s used. Custom-made guards usually last 1 to 3 years, but it’s important to replace them if they become damaged or no longer fit properly. Regular wear and tear from contact sports can cause the guard to degrade over time.
Sports that involve contact, falls, or the potential for injury to the mouth require the use of a sports guard. This includes activities like football, hockey, boxing, basketball, and rugby. If there is any risk of impact to the mouth, a sports guard is essential to protect your teeth and gums.
Absolutely! Wearing a sports guard with braces is crucial for protecting both your braces and your teeth. A custom guard can be designed to fit comfortably around your braces, preventing injuries to the inside of your mouth and protecting your dental work during physical activities.
While sports guards are essential for contact sports, they can also be useful for other activities where there is a risk of injury to the mouth, such as skiing, skateboarding, or even some types of training. If there’s any risk of trauma to the teeth, wearing a sports guard is a wise precaution.
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