All About Sports Guards
Sports guards offer more than just dental protection. They also safeguard braces and fixed dental devices like bridges and implants, while minimizing the risk of injury to your cheeks and lips caused by braces during an impact. For individuals involved in activities or sports with potential for falls, physical contact, or flying equipment, a sports guard is a smart choice. While any sports guard provides some protection, nothing compares to a custom-made guard designed specifically by your dental team to fit your teeth and mouth.
So What Are Your Options?
Stock Sports Guards
These guards are pre-made and ready for immediate use, often found in sporting goods stores. They tend to have a poor fit, can feel cumbersome, and may interfere with breathing or speaking. Many athletes find them distracting and may remove or fidget with them during games.
Boil & Bite Sports Guards
These guards come with instructions for moulding them to your teeth. After heating the blank guard in hot water, you bite into it to create a more tailored fit. Available at sporting goods stores, they provide a better fit than stock guards, but this option doesn’t suit everyone. If your boil & bite guard feels uncomfortable, is too bulky, or hampers breathing or speaking, a custom option might be a better solution.
Custom-Made Mouth Guards
It’s no surprise this is our top recommendation—and for good reason! A custom-made sports guard is tailored specifically for your mouth, providing superior protection and comfort. If adjustments are needed, we’re always here to ensure it fits perfectly, offering unmatched support and peace of mind.
The Cost of a Custom Sports Guard in Baton Rouge
The price of a custom sports guard varies significantly depending on the individual. For patients with typical insurance coverage, the cost usually ranges from $100 to $300 or more. For those without insurance, the expense is typically between $150 and $350 or higher.
- The specific material used to create your mouthguard.
- Whether it needs to accommodate ongoing orthodontic treatment.
Why Do Custom Mouthguard Costs Differ? There are two primary factors that influence the price:
It’s important to note that a precise cost estimate cannot be given over the phone. Since your dental needs are unique, an in-person consultation and oral examination are necessary to identify the best options and provide an accurate quote. If you have insurance, we can prepare a detailed quote for you to submit, allowing you to understand your out-of-pocket costs before proceeding.
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, because while both mouthguards and nightguards fit snugly over your teeth, they are designed for completely different purposes. Sports guards are intended to protect your mouth from impacts during physical activities, whereas nightguards are focused on addressing issues like bite alignment and the positioning of your teeth and jaw.
These terms all refer to the same type of device: a protective covering worn over your teeth to shield them from damage or lessen the severity of potential injuries.
Sports guards should ideally be replaced after each sports season. Over time, they can become worn, especially if the user has a habit of chewing on them. For adolescents, changes in tooth alignment can affect how well the guard fits, making it necessary to replace them more frequently. Many athletes choose to get a new guard during their biannual dental check-up.
A properly fitted sports guard should feel natural and comfortable in your mouth. It should not interfere with breathing or talking. If you find it distracting, frequently remove it, or adjust it during activities, it may not be the right fit.
Any activity or sport that involves a risk of falling, physical contact, or being struck by equipment requires a sports guard. Examples include football, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, soccer, field hockey, water polo, cricket, ringette, curling, skateboarding, gymnastics, mountain biking, wrestling, boxing, and other similar high-risk or contact sports.
Absolutely! In fact, it’s especially important for those with braces to use a sports guard. Not only does it protect your teeth, but it also shields your braces and helps prevent injuries to your cheeks and lips caused by the braces during an impact.
