Sports Mouth Guards
A knocked-out tooth costs far more to fix than a mouth guard costs to make. Custom-fitted guards absorb impact without the bulk that makes store-bought versions get left in the kit bag.
Sports mouth guards in Northridge, CA
A mouth guard absorbs and spreads the shock of an impact, which is what stands between a hard knock and a chipped tooth, a knocked-out tooth, a split lip, or a jaw injury. It only works if it is actually worn, and that is mostly a question of fit.
Why custom beats store-bought
Boil-and-bite guards from a sports shop are a generic shape you soften in hot water and bite into. They are better than nothing, but they are bulky, they loosen, and they make breathing and talking harder. Guards that are uncomfortable get left in the bag, which protects nobody.
We take detailed impressions of your bite and build to them. The result is slimmer, holds its position, and does not interfere with speech or performance, so it gets worn.
Young athletes
Children's teeth and jaws are still developing, which makes them more vulnerable to sports injuries and means fit changes as they grow. A guard that fitted last season may not fit this one. Bring it along to check-ups and we will assess it rather than leaving you to judge.
If your child wears braces
Orthodontic appliances turn an ordinary impact into a soft tissue injury, so a guard matters more, not less. Tell us about any orthodontic work and we will design around it.
Sports guards fall under our preventative dentistry care. If an injury has already happened, our emergency dentistry page covers what to do and how quickly to act.
Frequently asked questions about sports mouth guards
Any contact or high-impact activity: soccer, basketball, wrestling, martial arts, hockey, skateboarding. Basketball and soccer account for a surprising share of dental injuries, largely because people assume guards are only for obvious contact sports.
They are bulky, which makes breathing and talking harder, and that is precisely why they end up not being worn. A custom guard is made from impressions of your own bite, so it is slimmer, stays put, and does not interfere with performance.
Yes, and it matters more, not less. Braces turn an ordinary knock into a soft tissue injury. Tell us about any orthodontic work and we will account for it in the design.
Children's teeth and jaws are still developing, so guards need replacing periodically as they grow. Bring it to check-ups and we will check the fit rather than leaving you to guess.
Season starting? Get fitted before the first game.
Play safely
We fit athletes of every age. Contact us to arrange impressions and we will have a guard ready before the season starts.