Custom Sports Mouthguards in Aurora

What it is

Hockey sticks, pucks, elbows, balls and falls all find their way to the mouth. A sports mouthguard sits over the upper teeth and acts as a cushion. It spreads the force of a hit, keeps teeth from cutting into the lips and cheeks, and helps protect the teeth from chipping or being knocked out. The Canadian Dental Association recommends a properly fitted mouthguard, preferably custom fitted by a dentist, for people in contact sports.

There are three kinds. Stock guards come ready to wear and are often bulky and loose, so players spit them out or chew on them. Boil-and-bite guards soften in hot water and are shaped by biting down; they fit better, but the fit can be uneven and they thin out where you bite. A custom mouthguard is made from a mould or scan of your own teeth. It follows the shape of your mouth, so it is easier to breathe, talk and call plays while wearing it, and players tend to keep it in.

Hockey is the sport most families think of, but guards also make sense for basketball, soccer, lacrosse, football, rugby, martial arts, skateboarding, mountain biking and more. Some leagues require them, so check your league's rules. Players with braces need a guard that leaves room for the brackets, and the CDA advises a custom guard for patients in orthodontic treatment. Children's mouths change quickly, so their guards often need replacing as new teeth arrive.

A mouthguard is not a concussion shield. The CDA notes that mouthguards have a very limited role in preventing concussion, so helmets and face protection still matter. What a good guard does well is protect teeth and soft tissue.

Is it right for me?

• You or your child plays hockey, lacrosse, basketball, soccer or another contact sport.
• You do martial arts, boxing, skateboarding or mountain biking.
• Your current guard is loose, chewed through or makes breathing hard.
• You or your child wears braces and plays sports.
• You have crowns, bonding or implants you want to protect.

Step by step

1. Quick checkYour dentist looks at your teeth, any braces or dental work, and asks which sports you play.
2. Impression or scanWe record the shape of your upper teeth and your bite. This visit is short.
3. Your guard is madeThe guard is made to fit your teeth, in a thickness suited to your sport and your mouth.
4. FittingYou try it on, we check that it stays in without biting down, and smooth any edges that press on the gums.
5. Check-insBring the guard to your checkups so we can look for wear and fit, especially for growing children.

How it compares

General information. Your dentist will explain what applies to you.

Benefits and risks

Cost and coverage

The fee for a custom sports mouthguard covers the exam, the impression or scan, making the guard and fitting it, with the Ontario Dental Association fee guide as our reference. Coverage varies: some plans include sports guards, some limit how often they are replaced, and some do not cover them. We bill all plans directly and can check your benefits ahead of time. If your family has the Canadian Dental Care Plan or IFHP, ask us what applies. Ask about our in-house dental plan and student program. You'll receive a written estimate before we make the guard.

What shapes your estimate

• The thickness and type of guard for your sport
• Whether you wear braces
• How often a growing child may need a new one
• Your plan's coverage for sports guards

Read more about insurance and payment, the Canadian Dental Care Plan and IFHP coverage.

After your visit

• Rinse the guard before and after each use, and brush it gently with cool water.
• Store it in a vented case and let it dry between games.
• Keep it out of hot cars, hot water and away from pets.
• Replace it if it is torn, chewed thin or no longer fits snugly.

Questions