Custom Sport Guards in Cambridge
One hard hit during a game can chip, break, or knock out a tooth. A sport guard that actually fits helps protect your smile while you play.
At Riverfront Dental we make custom sport guards in Cambridge, ON for kids and adults, whatever the sport.
Want one before your season starts? Call (519) 621-2111 and ask us about a custom guard.
Why Wear a Sport Guard?
A sport guard, or athletic mouthguard, cushions the teeth, lips, and jaw when something hits your face. We recommend one for contact sports and for plenty of recreational activities too, anywhere a fall, a stray elbow, or a flying ball or puck could catch you.
A weekend dental emergency is no fun. It can mean missed playing time, a bill you did not see coming, and a tooth that needs looking after for years. A custom-fit guard is one of the simplest ways to keep that from happening, for kids and adults alike.
Custom Sport Guard vs. Boil-and-Bite
Store-bought boil-and-bite guards beat nothing, but they tend to fit loosely and can make it harder to breathe and speak.A custom guard is shaped to your own teeth, so it stays put and does its job better.
Sport Guards for Kids and Adults
We make sport guards for athletes of every age. With kids, we keep an eye on the fit as their teeth come in. Hockey, basketball, soccer, martial arts, biking, whatever the game is, a custom guard helps keep that smile safe.How We Make Your Sport Guard
Getting fitted takes one short visit.We talk about your sport and any past dental injuries.
We capture the shape of your teeth so the guard fits closely.
Your guard is built to sit securely and feel comfortable.
We check the fit and show you how to look after it.
Meet Your Cambridge Dental Team
Your custom sport guard is made by experienced general dentists who look after the whole family.
Dr. Beaucage completed her Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Waterloo. She earned both her PhD and Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Western University's Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. She values careful planning and patient education.
Dr. Lalji earned his Bachelor of Health Sciences at McMaster University before completing his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Western University. He focuses on helping patients feel informed and comfortable throughout treatment.
Dr. Gerlich earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at University College Cork in Ireland, where she was named a College Scholar. She brings international clinical experience and a gentle, patient-focused approach to Riverfront Dental.
All three dentists are general practitioners. They are not oral surgeons. Since 2018, the Riverfront Dental team has proudly served the Cambridge community.
Why Athletes Need a Custom Sport Guard
Teeth were never built to take a direct hit. The front teeth are the most exposed during sports, and one impact can chip enamel, crack a tooth, shove a tooth out of place, or knock it clean out. An adult tooth that is lost or badly damaged will not grow back, and fixing it can mean dental work for the rest of your life. A sport guard sits over the teeth and spreads the force of a blow across a wider area, so it lands softer before it ever reaches one tooth.
The teeth are not all a guard protects. It also keeps the lips, cheeks, and tongue from getting cut against the teeth, and it stops the upper and lower teeth from slamming together on impact. Some research suggests a guard that fits well may help cushion forces that travel up through the jaw, and many sports bodies encourage wearing one. We will not oversell it: a mouthguard is not a guaranteed protection against concussion. It is a sensible, low-effort layer of protection for the mouth and jaw.
For most athletes, the small cost and minor hassle of wearing a guard is nothing next to the price and stress of treating a serious dental injury later.
Custom vs. Boil-and-Bite vs. Stock Guards
Mouthguards are not all equal. Three kinds are common, and they vary a lot in fit, comfort, and how reliably they stay in place.
Pre-formed and ready to wear out of the package. They are cheap, but they come in only a few sizes, cannot be adjusted, and are often bulky. A lot of people find they get in the way of breathing and talking, so they end up left in the bag.
You soften these in hot water and bite into them for a rough mould of your teeth. They fit better than stock guards, but the shape is only as good as the moulding you do at home, and they can loosen, thin out, or warp over time.
Made by your dental team from a precise model of your own teeth. They fit snugly, stay put during play, let you breathe and speak more easily, and use durable material at an even thickness where it counts.
Store-bought options beat no protection, but a custom guard is what most dentists recommend. It fits well, lasts longer, and is comfortable enough that athletes actually keep it in. A guard only protects you while you are wearing it.
Which Sports Benefit From a Sport Guard
Any activity with a chance of contact, falls, or flying objects is reason enough to wear a guard. Contact and collision sports carry the clearest risk, but plenty of recreational activities do too. Not sure whether your sport calls for one? Ask us and we will tell you what we think.
Even non-contact sports like cycling, skating, and gymnastics come with a real chance of a fall. Kids and teens often play several sports in a season, so a custom guard is worth keeping in the bag right alongside a helmet or shin pads.
The Fitting Process at Riverfront Dental
Getting a custom sport guard at our Cambridge office is simple and comfortable. Most people are surprised by how quick the appointment is. Here is what happens, start to finish.
We talk through your sport, your level of play, and any past dental injuries, then check your teeth and bite to be sure a guard is right for you.
We take an accurate model of your teeth with a digital scan or a traditional impression. That precise record is what lets your guard fit so closely.
Your guard is built to match the model, with extra thickness where it protects you most. You can usually pick a colour too.
We make sure the finished guard seats securely, feels comfortable, and lets you breathe and speak, then show you how to keep it clean.
Since the guard is made from your own model, it stays put without you clenching to hold it. That small difference is what makes it easy to wear through a full game or practice.
Sport Guards for Kids, Teens, and Braces
Kids and teens are active, still growing, and often the most likely to take a knock during play, so a guard that fits properly matters a lot for young athletes. Young mouths change as teeth come in and jaws develop, so we check the fit of a child's guard as they grow and remake it when it is needed. We are happy to walk parents through the options and show everyone how to care for it at home.
If you or your child wears braces, a sport guard matters even more. A blow to the mouth can press the lips and cheeks into the brackets and may damage the orthodontic work itself. We can make a guard that fits comfortably over braces and allows for the way teeth shift during treatment, so you stay protected without getting in the way of your orthodontics. Part way through Invisalign or braces? Let us know and we will make the guard to suit.
Caring for Your Sport Guard
A little upkeep keeps your guard clean and ready to do its job. Good habits also help it last, so you are not replacing it sooner than you need to.
Heat is a guard's worst enemy. High temperatures warp the material and ruin the fit, so keep it off the windowsill and out of a gym bag in a hot car or anywhere near a heat source. A sport guard wears down with everyday use, and growing children tend to outgrow theirs sooner than adults do. We check yours at your regular visits and tell you when it is time for a new one. Notice any tears, thin spots, or a guard that no longer seats right? Bring it in and we will take a look.
Cost & Insurance
What a custom sport guard costs depends on the type of guard and what you need, and it is worth weighing against the far higher cost of fixing a serious dental injury. Many dental plans cover at least part of a custom mouthguard, since it is a recognized way to prevent injury, though the amount differs from plan to plan.
We are happy to go over your benefits with you before you decide, so you know what any out-of-pocket cost will be. We direct bill to most insurance plans to keep things simple. Questions about coverage, or want an estimate? Just ask. We will help you sort through the options and find something that works for your family.
Why Choose Riverfront Dental
Since 2018 our team of general dentists has looked after families across Cambridge and the wider Waterloo Region, and we try to make every visit a warm one. We take time to learn each athlete's sport and history, fit guards carefully, and follow up as kids grow. With modern scanning, free on-site parking, easy access from Highway 401, and direct billing to most insurance plans, getting your family protected does not have to eat up your week.
Related Services
Custom oral appliances do more than guard against sports injuries. If you grind or clench your teeth at night, a custom night guard can protect your enamel and ease jaw soreness while you sleep. If snoring is the problem, ask us about a snore guard that gently supports the airway for a quieter night. You can also browse our full range of dental clinic services to see how we look after Cambridge families at every stage.
Conveniently Located in Cambridge
Cambridge, ON N1R 7S9
Frequently Asked Questions
Get a Custom Sport Guard in Cambridge
Keep your smile safe on the field, court, or ice.
Call (519) 621-2111 to book at 725 Coronation Blvd, Suite B1 & B2, Cambridge, ON N1R 7S9. We would love to see you.