Custom sports mouthguards at Lambton Dental
A mouthguard only helps if it stays in place and gets worn every game. At Lambton Dental we make custom sports mouthguards from an impression of your own teeth, so the fit is snug, breathing and talking feel natural, and the guard is something you or your child will actually reach for before practice.
What is a custom sports mouthguard, and how does it differ from a store-bought one?
A custom sports mouthguard is a protective appliance made by a dental lab from a model of your teeth. The dentist takes an impression of your teeth, the lab forms the guard over that model, and we fit and adjust it in the office. Because it is shaped to your mouth alone, it covers the teeth and gums evenly and holds itself in place without clenching.
Boil-and-bite guards from a sporting goods store are softened in hot water and moulded by biting down. They are a reasonable starting point, but the fit is approximate, they tend to be bulkier, and many athletes find them harder to speak and breathe through. A custom guard is thinner where it can be and thicker where impact is more likely. For anyone playing a contact or collision sport, a custom fit is typically the more comfortable and durable option.
Who should consider a custom-fitted sports mouthguard?
A mouthguard is worth discussing if you or your child:
- Plays hockey, lacrosse, football, rugby or another sport where sticks, pucks, balls or elbows regularly end up near the face.
- Trains in boxing, karate, taekwondo, jiu-jitsu or another martial art, whether recreationally or in competition.
- Plays basketball or soccer, where collisions and falls are common even though the sport is not officially full contact.
- Skateboards, mountain bikes or takes part in other activities where a face-first fall is possible.
- Wears braces, or has crowns, bridges or veneers that would be costly to repair after a knock.
- Has tried a boil-and-bite guard and stopped wearing it because it felt loose, bulky or uncomfortable.
Children who play organized sports in York, The Junction and across West Toronto often need a guard for league play. We can make one for children from around the age their permanent front teeth start coming in, and we check the fit at each recall visit.
What to expect when we make your mouthguard
A quick exam first
The dentist checks that the teeth and gums are healthy and notes any braces, dental work or loose baby teeth that affect the design of the guard.
An impression
We record the shape of your teeth with a soft impression material. This takes only a few minutes and is usually the part children are most curious about.
Colour and design choices
You choose a colour, or team colours, and we discuss thickness based on your sport and your level of play.
Lab fabrication
A dental lab forms the guard over a model of your teeth. Turnaround depends on the dental laboratory, so plan ahead of the season start if you can; we confirm the expected timing at your first visit.
Fitting and adjustment
At the pickup visit we check the fit, trim any edges that rub, and make sure you can breathe, talk and swallow comfortably with the guard in place.
Care instructions
We show you how to clean, dry and store the guard, and explain when to bring it back for a fit check or replacement.
If your child is nervous about the impression step, tell us when you book. We take it slowly, explain each part in kid-friendly terms, and parents are welcome to stay in the room throughout.
How to care for your mouthguard and when to replace it
Rinse the guard with cool water after every use, brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap, and let it dry fully before it goes back in its vented case. Keep it away from hot water, direct sun and the dashboard of a car, since heat can warp the material and ruin the fit. Do not chew on it, and keep it out of reach of pets.
Bring the guard to your regular checkups so the dentist can look it over. Adults can often use the same guard for several seasons if it is cared for well. Children and teens are a different story: as jaws grow and baby teeth are replaced by permanent ones, the fit changes, and a guard that no longer sits snugly should be remade. Anyone whose braces have been adjusted or who has had new dental work may also need a new guard. If a guard becomes cracked, thin or loose, it is time to replace it.
Cost, insurance, and CDCP / IFHP coverage
The cost of a custom sports mouthguard depends on the design, the thickness and whether it needs to accommodate braces. We give you a written quote before we take the impression, so there are no surprises at pickup.
Some dental plans include a benefit for athletic mouthguards and some do not. We accept all major Canadian dental insurance carriers and direct-bill wherever your plan allows, so we can check your benefits ahead of time and let you know what to expect. We are also a provider for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) and the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP); coverage under these programs depends on your eligibility and the services provided, and we will confirm what applies to you before your appointment.
For families without a mouthguard benefit, we are happy to walk through payment options at the visit.
For larger treatment plans, monthly payment plans through a third-party financing partner are available on approved credit — ask at your consultation or see our payment options.
Why families choose Lambton Dental for sports mouthguards
- Each guard is made from an impression of your own teeth, then fitted and adjusted in person rather than handed over in a box.
- We see children from age 3 and are comfortable making guards for growing mouths, including athletes with braces.
- Evening and weekend appointments make it easier to fit a fitting or pickup around practice schedules.
- We direct-bill CDCP, IFHP and major insurance carriers so you are not left chasing paperwork.
- Our team serves patients in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, Mandarin and Cantonese.
- If a dental injury does happen, same-day emergency appointments are available.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Is a custom mouthguard really better than a boil-and-bite one?
Both types offer some protection, and a boil-and-bite guard is better than nothing. The difference is in fit and comfort. A custom guard is made from a model of your teeth, so it stays put without clenching, is easier to breathe and speak through, and tends to last longer. Athletes are more likely to keep wearing a guard that feels comfortable, which is the point.
Can my child get a mouthguard if they have braces?
Yes. We design guards specifically for patients in orthodontic treatment, leaving room for brackets and wires and protecting the lips and cheeks from them. Because teeth move during treatment, the guard may need to be adjusted or remade partway through. Let us know about the braces when you book so the dentist can plan for them.
How long does it take to get the mouthguard?
Plan for two visits. The first is a short appointment for the exam and impression. The lab then makes the guard; we let you know the expected timing when the impression is taken. At the second visit we fit and adjust it. If a season is about to start, book early so the guard is ready before the first game.
How often does a kid's mouthguard need replacing?
It depends on growth and wear. Many children and teens need a new guard each season or two, because baby teeth fall out, permanent teeth come in and the jaw grows, all of which change the fit. Bring the guard to each checkup and we will tell you whether it still fits properly or should be remade.
Will the mouthguard make it hard to breathe or talk?
A well-fitted custom guard should not. Because it is thin where it can be and moulded closely to your teeth, most athletes adjust to talking and breathing with it within a few practices. If anything feels bulky or rubs, tell us at the fitting visit and we will adjust it. Small changes make a big difference to comfort.
What should I do if a tooth is knocked out during a game?
Call us right away at (416) 666-3700. Same-day emergency appointments are available. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root, rinse it gently if dirty, and either place it back in the socket or keep it in milk until you arrive. Time matters, so head to the office as soon as you can.
Book a mouthguard appointment
Book online or call (416) 666-3700 to schedule an impression appointment. Evening and weekend appointments are available for busy sports schedules.
CDCP welcome
We welcome patients covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan and can help you understand what's covered.
Learn about CDCP →IFHP welcome
We are registered to treat patients under the Interim Federal Health Program and bill Medavie Blue Cross directly.
Learn about IFHP →Direct billing
We bill all major Canadian dental insurance carriers directly, so you pay only what your plan does not cover.
How direct billing works →