Custom Mouthguards for Sports and Athletes
Custom sports mouthguards do more than protect your teeth during sports. They can also help protect braces and fixed dental appliances, including bridges and dental implants, while helping prevent cuts and injuries to the inside of your cheeks and lips. A sports mouthguard is a smart investment for anyone participating in activities that involve falls, physical contact, or flying equipment. While any mouthguard is better than none, a custom mouthguard made by your dental team provides a personalized fit designed specifically for your mouth and teeth.
Types of Sports Mouthguards: Which One Is Right for You?
Stock Sports Mouthguards
Stock sports mouthguards are pre-formed and ready to wear, making them easy to find at most sporting goods stores. However, because they come in a standard size and shape, they may not fit comfortably or securely. They can feel bulky, making it harder to breathe, speak, or focus during a game. Athletes may be tempted to remove or adjust the mouthguard while playing, which can leave their teeth unprotected when an injury occurs.
Boil and Bite Sports Mouthguards
Boil and bite mouthguards are available at sporting goods stores and come with instructions for creating a more personalized fit. The mouthguard is softened in hot water and then molded around your teeth by biting into the material. While they generally provide a better fit than stock mouthguards, the results can vary. If your mouthguard feels uncomfortable, bulky, or makes it difficult to breathe or talk, a custom sports mouthguard may be a better option.
Custom Sports Mouthguards
For athletes looking for a comfortable, personalized fit, custom sports mouthguards offer significant advantages. Your dental team creates the mouthguard specifically for your teeth and mouth, helping it fit securely without the bulkiness often associated with store-bought options. A properly fitted custom mouthguard can make it easier to breathe, talk, and stay focused on your game while helping protect your teeth from sports-related injuries. If your mouthguard needs an adjustment, your dental team can also make sure it fits properly and comfortably.
How Much Do custom sports guard Cost In Tacoma
The cost of a custom sports mouthguard can vary depending on your individual needs and whether you have dental insurance. In many cases, a custom mouthguard costs between $150 and $350 without insurance, while insurance coverage may help reduce your out-of-pocket cost. Your final price will depend on the type of mouthguard you need and your specific treatment plan.
So why does the cost of a custom mouthguard vary? There are two major factors:
- The type and quality of material used to make your mouthguard.
- Whether you are undergoing orthodontic treatment or have braces or other dental appliances.
Every smile is different, so an accurate cost estimate requires an examination with your dentist. During your visit, we can evaluate your teeth, discuss your sports mouthguard options, and recommend the best fit for your needs. If you have dental insurance, we can also provide an estimate for you to submit to your insurance provider so you can better understand your expected out-of-pocket costs 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. Though mouthguards and night guards both fit snugly over your teeth, they’re designed to serve different purposes for your teeth and jaw. Sports guards focus on protecting your mouth from impact, while night guards focus on your bite and the position of your teeth and jaw.
These are all different names for the same thing: a device worn over your teeth that helps protect them from injury or reduces the severity of an injury.
Ideally, sports guards should be replaced after each sports season. Mouthguards can wear down over time, especially if the wearer has a habit of chewing on their appliance. Teeth can also shift in adolescents, which means their guard won’t fit as well anymore. Many athletes who play multiple sports get a new sports guard made during their routine 6 month checkup.
A custom fit sports guard should feel comfortable in your mouth. You should be able to breathe and talk with ease. If you find yourself fidgeting with it or taking it out during the big game, it might not be fitting right.
Any sport or activity where you might fall, collide with other players, or get hit by a ball or other equipment calls for a mouthguard. Consider a sports guard if you or your child play football, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, soccer, field hockey, water polo, cricket, wrestling, boxing, skateboarding, gymnastics, mountain biking or any other contact or high risk sport.
Wearing a sports guard is even more important with braces. It protects your teeth, safeguards your braces from damage, and helps prevent your braces from cutting into your lips and cheeks if you take a hit to the face.
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