Sports Mouth Guards
Professional Sports Mouth Guards
What You Need to Know
What it is: Custom-fitted protective guards designed to protect teeth, lips, tongue, and jaw during contact sports. A properly fitted sports guard significantly reduces the risk of dental injuries during athletic competition.
Typical appointment time: 30-minute fitting; ready in 1-2 weeks
Recovery/Results timeline: None; available for sports immediately upon completion
- • Contact sports like football, hockey, boxing, lacrosse
- • Basketball, baseball, and other sports with collision risk
- • Youth, high school, college, and recreational athletes
- • Anyone wanting maximum protection during sports
Understanding Sports Injury Protection
Protect Your Smile During Athletic Competition
Sports injuries to teeth are incredibly common—especially in contact sports like football, hockey, and boxing. A single collision can crack, chip, or knock out a tooth, resulting in emergency dental treatment and significant expense. The solution is simple: a custom-fitted sports mouth guard. Unlike generic store-bought guards, a custom guard provides superior protection, comfort, and fit, allowing your athlete to focus on the game rather than worrying about their teeth.
A properly fitted sports mouth guard significantly reduces the risk of tooth injury, jaw fractures, and soft tissue damage. Our custom guards are fabricated specifically for your mouth, providing a secure fit that stays in place during intense athletic activity. The guard absorbs and distributes impact forces, protecting teeth and jaw while maintaining comfort and allowing normal speech and breathing. Athletes who wear custom guards experience better confidence and performance, knowing their smile is protected.
Youth sports are especially where custom mouth guards make a difference. Young athletes have less experience with sports movements, impacts happen unexpectedly, and dental injuries have lifelong consequences. Investing in a custom mouth guard for football season, hockey season, or year-round athletic participation is one of the smartest protective measures parents can make for their child's health and smile.
Your Custom Mouth Guard
Getting Custom Athletic Protection
Before Your Appointment
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Schedule your fitting before the sports season starts
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Know which sports your athlete will be playing
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Bring your insurance card for coverage verification
During Your Visit
Assessment and Consultation
We discuss your sports, any previous dental injuries, and your protection needs. We examine your teeth and bite to determine the best guard design and material for maximum protection during your specific sport.
Precise Impressions
We take detailed impressions of your upper teeth using a quick, comfortable process. These impressions ensure your guard fits perfectly and provides maximum protection without slipping or moving during play.
Custom Fabrication
Your mouth guard is professionally fabricated in our lab using high-quality materials designed for athletic protection. Lab fabrication typically takes 1-2 weeks, and your guard will be ready well before your season.
Fitting and Adjustment
When your custom guard is ready, we'll fit it to ensure it's comfortable, allows normal speech and breathing, and stays securely in place during athletic activity. We'll make any adjustments needed for optimal fit and protection.
Usage Training
We provide detailed instructions on inserting, removing, and caring for your guard. We'll explain proper use before, during, and after athletic activity.
After Treatment
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Wear your mouth guard for all contact sports and athletic competition
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Clean your guard with cool water after each use; avoid hot water which can warp it
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Store your guard in the provided protective case when not in use
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Bring your guard to all games, practices, and athletic events
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Check regularly for wear or damage; return to us if repair or replacement is needed
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Schedule a new guard annually or as your mouth changes (especially important for growing athletes)
Is Your Athlete Protected?
Who Needs a Sports Mouth Guard
You may be a good candidate if:
- ✓
Athletes in contact sports like football, hockey, boxing, rugby, lacrosse
- ✓
Basketball and baseball players with injury risk from collisions
- ✓
Martial artists and combat sport athletes
- ✓
Youth athletes in any collision or contact sport
- ✓
Recreational athletes of any age seeking maximum protection
- ✓
Anyone who has experienced a dental injury and wants to prevent recurrence
Other options may be better if:
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For nighttime teeth grinding protection, see our night guards page
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Generic boil-and-bite guards are not recommended; custom guards provide far superior protection
Protect your athlete's smile with a custom sports mouth guard. One collision can cause permanent damage—prevention is always better than emergency treatment.
Your Questions Answered
Common Questions About Sports Mouth Guards
What is a custom sports mouth guard?
A custom sports mouth guard is a protective device precisely fabricated to fit your mouth and provide maximum protection during athletic activity. Unlike generic store-bought guards, custom guards fit perfectly, stay in place during play, and provide superior protection against dental injuries.
How much does a custom sports mouth guard cost?
Custom sports mouth guards typically cost $50-$150 depending on materials and design. They're significantly more affordable than repairing or replacing a knocked-out or broken tooth. Some dental insurance plans cover a portion of the cost. We'll provide a cost estimate and discuss payment options.
Do I need a mouth guard for basketball or baseball?
While basketball and baseball have lower collision risks than football or hockey, injuries do occur. Any athlete wanting maximum protection should wear a mouth guard. The relatively low cost of a custom guard is far less than emergency dental treatment.
What is a custom mouth guard made of?
Custom sports mouth guards are made from high-quality materials specifically designed for athletic protection. These materials absorb and distribute impact forces, protecting teeth and jaw while remaining durable enough for intense athletic activity.
Can I speak normally with a sports mouth guard?
Yes. A properly fitted custom guard allows nearly normal speech. Athletes can communicate with teammates and coaches without difficulty. There may be a brief adjustment period, but most athletes adapt immediately.
Will my mouth guard affect my athletic performance?
No. A properly fitted custom guard provides secure protection without interfering with breathing, speech, or movement. In fact, many athletes perform better when they know their teeth are protected and don't have to worry about dental injury.
How long do sports mouth guards last?
A well-maintained custom mouth guard typically lasts 2-3 years or a full season of heavy use. For growing young athletes, we may recommend replacement annually to ensure proper fit as their mouth changes. Damage from impacts or normal wear may require replacement sooner.
How should I care for my sports mouth guard?
Clean your guard with cool water after each use. Avoid hot water, which can warp it. Store it in the provided protective case when not in use. Never chew on your guard or leave it in direct sunlight. Inspect regularly for damage and bring it to us for repair or replacement if needed.
Complementary Treatments
You May Also Be Interested In
Emergency Dentist
Immediate care for dental injuries, infections, or severe pain. Our emergency dentist provides same-day treatment for toothaches, broken or chipped teeth, abscesses, lost restorations, and knocked-out teeth.
Night Guards
Custom-fitted protective device worn at night to protect your teeth from grinding damage. A night guard shields teeth and jaws while you sleep, preventing wear, damage, and jaw pain.
Pediatric Dentist
Pediatric dentistry provides specialized dental care designed specifically for children's needs, from their first tooth through their teenage years. Kids dentists have extra training in working with children and creating comfortable, anxiety-free dental experiences.
Protect Your Athlete This Season
Get a Custom Sports Mouth Guard in Nashville
Don't let a preventable dental injury sideline your athlete. A custom sports mouth guard provides superior protection, comfort, and confidence during athletic competition. Schedule your fitting at Nations Dental Studio before your next season and keep your athlete's smile protected.
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"Beautiful office and incredibly friendly staff. Dr. D'Aoust is awesome and never makes you feel rushed. She doesn't suggest anything unnecessary and explains the treatments thoroughly. Highly recommend."
"Best dental office I've ever been to. Dr. D'Aoust is friendly, calming and so knowledgeable - she really knows her stuff! I was very comfortable during my procedure, barely realized she was working on me. The office is also gorgeous and very clean. I highly recommend."
"Best dental experience I've ever had! I've never left feeling better after a teeth cleaning. As a new patient, I feel completely comfortable and actually excited to return!"
"Beautiful office and incredibly friendly staff. Dr. D'Aoust is awesome and never makes you feel rushed. She doesn't suggest anything unnecessary and explains the treatments thoroughly. Highly recommend."
"Best dental office I've ever been to. Dr. D'Aoust is friendly, calming and so knowledgeable - she really knows her stuff! I was very comfortable during my procedure, barely realized she was working on me. The office is also gorgeous and very clean. I highly recommend."
"Best dental experience I've ever had! I've never left feeling better after a teeth cleaning. As a new patient, I feel completely comfortable and actually excited to return!"
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