All About Sports Guards
Sports guards do more than just protect your teeth; they also shield braces, dental implants, and other fixed dental appliances like bridges, as well as safeguard the inside of your cheeks and lips from potential injury during an accident. If you’re involved in sports that carry a risk of falls, body contact, or flying equipment, a custom sports guard from your Dental Office in Crystal River is a worthwhile investment. While any sports guard is better than none, nothing compares to a personalized guard made specifically for your mouth and teeth.
So What Are Your Options?
Stock Sports Guards
These pre-formed guards come ready to wear and are available at sporting goods stores. While they are affordable, they tend to be bulky and poorly fitting, making it difficult to breathe, talk, or focus on your game.
Boil & Bite Sports Guards
This type of guard comes with a kit and requires you to boil the guard to soften it, then bite into it to mold it to your teeth. These guards offer a better fit than stock ones, but if they still feel bulky or uncomfortable, it’s worth considering a custom-made guard.
Custom-Made Mouth Guards
Our favorite option by far! A custom sports guard is designed to fit your teeth perfectly, offering superior comfort and protection. If it’s not comfortable at first, we are here to make adjustments so that you get the best fit possible.
The Cost of a Custom Sports Guard in Crystal River
The cost for a custom sports guard can vary depending on several factors. On average, a custom guard may cost between $150 and $350 without insurance. With insurance, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $300+.
- The type of material used for the guard.
- Whether you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.
The cost variation is primarily due to:
It’s important to remember that no dental practice can provide an exact quote over the phone. For an accurate price and personalized recommendations, it’s best to consult with a dentist at your Dental Office in Crystal River for a comprehensive oral exam. We can also provide a quote for insurance purposes so you can determine your out-of-pocket costs.
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 both mouthguards and nightguards are fitted to your teeth, they serve different purposes. A mouthguard is designed to protect your teeth from impact during sports, whereas a nightguard focuses on your bite and the alignment of your teeth and jaw.
These terms all refer to the same thing: a device worn over your teeth to protect them from injury or reduce the severity of injury.
Sports guards should ideally be replaced at the end of each sports season. Over time, they can wear down, especially if the wearer chews on the guard or doesn’t care for it properly. For growing children or adolescents, a new guard may be necessary as their teeth shift. Many athletes opt for a new guard during their routine 6-month dental check-up.
A well-fitted sports guard should feel comfortable in your mouth. It should be easy to breathe and talk with. If you find yourself constantly adjusting or removing it during play, it might not be the right fit.
Any sport where there’s a risk of falls, contact with other players, or getting hit by equipment should prompt you to wear a sports guard. Activities like football, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, soccer, wrestling, boxing, skateboarding, and mountain biking are just a few examples of sports that require this protection.
Absolutely! In fact, wearing a sports guard is even more important if you have braces. It not only protects your teeth but also shields your braces, as well as the inside of your cheeks and lips, from injury if you’re struck in the face.
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