All about sports guards
Sports guards don’t just protect your teeth. They also protect braces and fixed dental appliances (like bridges and dental implants) and protect the inside of your cheeks and lips from your braces in the event of an accident. A sports guard is a wise investment for anyone participating in activities and sports which involve falls, body contact or flying equipment. Any sports guard is better than no sports guard, but nothing beats a guard made by your dental team and personalized for your mouth and teeth.So what are your options?
Stock Sports Guards
These come pre-formed and ready to wear and are available where sporting goods are sold. They often don’t fit very well, can feel bulky in your mouth and make breathing or talking difficult. Athletes often find themselves distracted by this appliance, and take it out or play with it while the game is on.
Boil & Bite Sports Guards
These come in a kit with instructions. You boil the blank guard in water and then bite into the plastic to form the guard to your teeth. These are also available where sporting goods are sold and offer a better fit than stock guards, but this method isn’t for everyone. If your boil & bite guard is uncomfortable, bulky or makes it difficult to breathe or talk, consider a custom guard.
Custom-Made Mouth Guards
Are you surprised this is our favourite? Well with good reason! There is no substitute for an individualized, custom-made mouthguard. A sports guard made by us will offer the best protection and be the most comfortable. And in the unlikely event that it’s not comfortable? We are right here to make the adjustments and you can hold us accountable.
The cost of a custom sports guard inToronto
The out-of-pocket cost for a custom sports guard can vary widely from patient to patient. With a typical insurance plan, a mouth guard usually averages out to about $100 to $300+. Without insurance, a custom mouth guard costs between $150 to $350 and up.
- The type of material your guard is made of.
- Consideration for ongoing orthodontic treatment.
So why does the cost of a custom mouthguard vary? There are two major factors:
Remember, no dental practice can provide an accurate quote over the phone. Ultimately, your needs are as unique as your smile. It’s important to speak with a dentist and undergo an oral exam to find out all your treatment options and to receive an accurate quote. If you have dental insurance, we would be happy to supply you with a quote to submit to them so you can find out your out-of-pocket costs before you make a decision.
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 nightguards are both snuggly fitted to your teeth, they’re designed to perform different functions for your teeth and jaw. Sports guards are focused on protecting your mouth from impact, and night guards are focused 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 protects them from injury or reduces the severity of an injury.
Ideally, guards should be replaced after each sports season. Mouth guards can wear down over time, especially if the wearer has a habit of chewing or abusing their appliance. Teeth can also shift in adolescents which means their guard won’t quite fit as well. Many athletes who play several sports get a new sports guard made when they go for their routine 6-month checkup.
A custom-fit sports guard should feel comfortable in your mouth. It should be easy to breathe and talk. If you find yourself fidgeting with it or taking it out of your mouth during the big game, it might not be fitting right.
Any sport or activity where you might fall, come into contact with other players, or get hit by a ball or other equipment. Consider a sports guard if you or your child play football, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, soccer, field hockey, water polo, cricket, ringette, curling, skateboarding, gymnastics, mountain biking, wrestling, boxing or any other contact or high-risk sport.
You are extra encouraged to wear a sports guard! Not only does it protect your teeth, but it also protects your braces and the inside of your lips and cheeks from your braces should you be struck in the face.
What Our Patients Are Saying
Dr. Grant is an exceptional doctor
I felt very comfortable
Google Verified Patient Reviews
Meghan MacLean
1 month ago
Amazing experience - we came in as my son had a dental emergency and they fit us in right away! The reception, staff, and dentist were so good with my son keeping him happy and comfortable. They were very compassionate and helped us out in a scary time!
Would happily recommend this practice to everyone I know after our experience today.
mihai burcea
2 months ago
I've been coming here for many, many years, and while some names and faces may have changed, everyone has always been very professional, accommodating and friendly and kind. Had work done here from cleaning, cavities, to some dental surgery, and always felt listened to and well taken care of. There's a reason I continue to come here, including when I lived in a different city for a few years. Many thanks to everyone who has helped and taken care of me for all these years, and extra thanks to Dr Dico, Dr Wong, Erin, Deema, Dana, Guida and Vlad!
Teacher Sean
2 months ago
Little Italy Dentistry has been our dental home for over 20 years, and even though my wife and I no longer live in Toronto, we still make the 1.5-hour drive into the city for appointments—because the care is simply worth it.
The service is consistently top-notch. The team is professional, friendly, and genuinely helpful, and they’ve always made us feel comfortable and well looked after. We’ve even appreciated their flexibility on the occasions when traffic or travel has made us run a little late.
If you’re looking for a dental clinic you can truly trust, I can’t recommend Little Italy Dentistry highly enough.
Geo C
3 months ago
Long time and happy patient, even though I spend more than an hour to get there. Wondering why I'm still their patient?! Simply because of the quality and real care that I receive every single time, from every single staff member.
Last experience: extraction and bone graft in preparation for an implant.
Thanks Dana for accommodating my schedule (as always)!
Dr. Brian did a fantastic job, no bruises, no swelling, no pain (well, maybe just a bit... a few hours after, but nowhere near to what ppl told me to get ready for). Thank you!
Vlad: great assisting, thank you!
So... would I recommend this dental office? Absolutely yes, 10-out-of-10 to a fantastic, professional team that I do trust.
D. C.
3 months ago
I’ve been coming here for many years, and the hygiene team continues to impress me every single time. Every cleaning is gentle, detailed, and done with real care. My recent cleaning with Erin was no exception ; she’s truly a hidden gem. Kind, thorough, and always making the visit feel easy. She genuinely motivated me.
I’ve also seen all the dentists over the years, and each one has been professional, kind, and incredibly personable.
For over 20 years, I’ve trusted my whole family with this team. My smile has always felt in the best hands.
A big thank you to Dr. Yiu’s team: Guida for her thoughtful treatment planning, Dr. Dico who was my very first dentist, Dr. Wong for his excellent perio care and now my husband’s implants, and of course Dr. Yiu for bringing everything together so smoothly.
Thank you for taking such good care of my family and me. You’ve truly become our family too.
— D.C.
Meghan MacLean
1 month ago
Amazing experience - we came in as my son had a dental emergency and they fit us in right away! The reception, staff, and dentist were so good with my son keeping him happy and comfortable. They were very compassionate and helped us out in a scary time!
Would happily recommend this practice to everyone I know after our experience today.
mihai burcea
2 months ago
I've been coming here for many, many years, and while some names and faces may have changed, everyone has always been very professional, accommodating and friendly and kind. Had work done here from cleaning, cavities, to some dental surgery, and always felt listened to and well taken care of. There's a reason I continue to come here, including when I lived in a different city for a few years. Many thanks to everyone who has helped and taken care of me for all these years, and extra thanks to Dr Dico, Dr Wong, Erin, Deema, Dana, Guida and Vlad!
Teacher Sean
2 months ago
Little Italy Dentistry has been our dental home for over 20 years, and even though my wife and I no longer live in Toronto, we still make the 1.5-hour drive into the city for appointments—because the care is simply worth it.
The service is consistently top-notch. The team is professional, friendly, and genuinely helpful, and they’ve always made us feel comfortable and well looked after. We’ve even appreciated their flexibility on the occasions when traffic or travel has made us run a little late.
If you’re looking for a dental clinic you can truly trust, I can’t recommend Little Italy Dentistry highly enough.
Geo C
3 months ago
Long time and happy patient, even though I spend more than an hour to get there. Wondering why I'm still their patient?! Simply because of the quality and real care that I receive every single time, from every single staff member.
Last experience: extraction and bone graft in preparation for an implant.
Thanks Dana for accommodating my schedule (as always)!
Dr. Brian did a fantastic job, no bruises, no swelling, no pain (well, maybe just a bit... a few hours after, but nowhere near to what ppl told me to get ready for). Thank you!
Vlad: great assisting, thank you!
So... would I recommend this dental office? Absolutely yes, 10-out-of-10 to a fantastic, professional team that I do trust.
D. C.
3 months ago
I’ve been coming here for many years, and the hygiene team continues to impress me every single time. Every cleaning is gentle, detailed, and done with real care. My recent cleaning with Erin was no exception ; she’s truly a hidden gem. Kind, thorough, and always making the visit feel easy. She genuinely motivated me.
I’ve also seen all the dentists over the years, and each one has been professional, kind, and incredibly personable.
For over 20 years, I’ve trusted my whole family with this team. My smile has always felt in the best hands.
A big thank you to Dr. Yiu’s team: Guida for her thoughtful treatment planning, Dr. Dico who was my very first dentist, Dr. Wong for his excellent perio care and now my husband’s implants, and of course Dr. Yiu for bringing everything together so smoothly.
Thank you for taking such good care of my family and me. You’ve truly become our family too.
— D.C.
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