At a glance
A custom sports mouth guard is a guard made from impressions of your teeth that cushions your teeth, lips and gums during sports. Because it fits snugly, it stays in place and is easier to breathe and talk in. It’s part of our preventive dentistry.
It usually takes two visits: impressions, then a fitting. We give you a written estimate first, and Saturday appointments make it easy to fit in around school and practice.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Visits | Usually two: impressions, then fitting |
| Numbing | Not needed |
| Who it’s for | Teens and adults in contact or fast-moving sports; ask us about younger children |
| Price | Written estimate before treatment (see dental prices) |
| Insurance | All PPO plans (benefits checked before your visit), Medicare Advantage plans with dental benefits, and Texas Medicaid/CHIP for children (DentaQuest, MCNA, UHC Dental) |
| Saturday appointments | Yes, Saturdays 9am–3pm, plus Tuesday and Wednesday |
Do you need a sports mouth guard?
The American Dental Association recommends mouth guards for sports where falls, contact or flying equipment are possible. That includes more sports than most people think:
- Football, hockey, lacrosse and rugby
- Basketball, soccer, baseball and softball
- Wrestling, boxing and martial arts
- Skateboarding, BMX and mountain biking
- Gymnastics, cheerleading and volleyball
A custom guard is a good choice if a store-bought guard feels bulky, makes you gag, falls out or ends up in the bag instead of in your mouth.
What happens at your visit?
- We check your teeth and gums, and ask what sport you play.
- We take impressions of your teeth.
- Your guard is made from those impressions to fit your teeth.
- At the fitting, we check how it fits and feels, and trim or adjust it.
- We show you how to clean and store it, and when to replace it.
Bring your guard to checkups so we can check the fit, especially for teens whose mouths are still changing. Like a night guard for grinding, a sports guard wears out over time; our guide on how long night guards last covers the signs.
Cost, insurance and financing
Sports guards are not on our published price list, so we give you a written estimate before we make one. Coverage varies; some plans cover part of the cost and some don’t. We check your benefits first.
We work with all PPO plans and check your benefits before your visit, so you know what is covered. We also accept Medicare Advantage plans that include dental benefits. For children, we accept Texas Medicaid and CHIP through DentaQuest, MCNA and UHC Dental; we are not in network for adult Medicaid. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental care. See insurance we accept.
We accept Cherry, Sunbit and CareCredit for patient financing (see financing options), and you can use an FSA or HSA card for dental treatment.
Recovery and aftercare
- Rinse your guard before and after each use, and brush it gently with cool water.
- Keep it in a vented case. Don’t leave it in a hot car or in the sun, where it can warp.
- Don’t chew on it or cut it.
- Replace it if it’s torn, worn thin or loose. Growing teens may need a new one more often.
Alternatives
| Option | Fit | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Custom sports guard | Made from impressions of your teeth | Stays in place; easier to breathe and talk |
| Boil-and-bite guard | Molded at home | Low cost; fit and thickness vary |
| Stock guard | One size | Often loose; may need to bite down to hold it in |
| No guard | Not applicable | Higher risk of chipped, broken or knocked-out teeth |
When to call us
If a tooth is knocked out during a game, pick it up by the crown, rinse it briefly, and put it back in the socket or keep it in milk. It has the best chance if replanted within about an hour. For a chipped, loose or knocked-out tooth, call us right away for a same-day visit during office hours; go to the ER for a possible broken jaw or heavy bleeding. Call (832) 612-2831 — we’re open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9am–3pm.
Why patients in Richmond choose us
- Same-day visits for sports injuries during office hours, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9am–3pm (emergency dental care)
- Saturday appointments from 9am to 3pm, plus Tuesday and Wednesday hours (Saturday dentist in Richmond)
- Published self-pay prices for new-patient exams, and insurance benefits checked before your visit
- Two dentists, Dr. Arpitkumar Patel and Dr. Harsh Patel, and a team that speaks English, Spanish, Gujarati and Hindi
Related guides
- When to seek emergency dental care and when it’s safe to wait
- Weekend emergency dental care in Richmond: when pain can’t wait
- Is your dentist open on Saturday? What Richmond families need to know
- 5 reasons to wear a night guard if you grind your teeth
Frequently asked questions
For many athletes, yes. A guard that fits well gets worn every game. Store-bought guards are fine if they fit and you actually wear them.
Adults can often use one for more than a season with good care. Teens may need a new one as their teeth and jaws change.
We don’t place braces. If you or your child has braces, ask your orthodontist about a guard designed to fit over them.
Usually, yes. Tell us which sports you play so we can make sure the guard suits them.
Save any pieces, rinse your mouth with warm water, and call us. We see dental emergencies the same day during office hours. See emergency dental care.