Sport Guard Virginia Beach

The statistics surrounding sports-related dental injuries are striking. According to the American Dental Association, a 2019 systematic review found that athletes who did not wear mouthguards were more than twice as likely to suffer an orofacial injury compared to those who did, and mouthguard users were between 82% and 93% less likely to sustain dentofacial injuries overall. Despite those numbers, mouthguard use remains low across many sports unless it is formally required by a governing body.

Which Athletes Need a Sport Guard

While football players and hockey players are the most commonly associated with mouthguard use, the reality is that dental trauma occurs across a much wider range of activities. Basketball actually has one of the highest documented rates of dental injury among athletic sports. Beyond team sports, athletes who participate in gymnastics, martial arts, soccer, lacrosse, wrestling, skateboarding, and even cycling are also at meaningful risk. Our team works with athletes at every level, from youth recreational leagues to adults competing in organized sports, to make sure the right protective gear is in place before an injury happens.

Not all sport guards are created equal. Walk into any sporting goods store and you will find inexpensive boil-and-bite guards that can be loosely molded at home. While those are better than nothing, they consistently fall short when compared to custom appliances made by a dental professional. Generic guards are manufactured in limited sizes and do not adapt closely to your individual bite, which means they can shift during impact — precisely when you need them most.

A custom sport guard made at our Virginia Beach office is fabricated directly from impressions of your teeth, ensuring a precise, secure fit that stays in place without requiring you to clench your jaw to hold it. A well-fitted guard is comfortable enough that athletes actually wear it consistently, which is the single most important factor in whether a mouthguard does its job. We also use high-quality materials that provide superior shock absorption and durability through an entire season of use.

Sport Guards for Growing Athletes

Children and teenagers present a unique consideration when it comes to sport guard fitting. Because their mouths are still developing, a guard that fits in September may not fit as well by spring. As part of our family dentistry services, we help parents stay on top of the protective needs of young athletes and make sure guards are updated as their child’s dentition changes. We also keep the process comfortable and stress-free for kids who might be nervous about dental visits.

Getting a custom sport guard is a straightforward process that typically requires just one or two appointments. During your first visit, we take precise impressions of your teeth and discuss any specific needs based on the sport you play and the position you play in. 

From there, your guard is fabricated to match your exact bite and delivered at a follow-up appointment. We will walk you through how to wear it, care for it, and when to come back for a replacement. If you also need to schedule your dental cleaning or dental exam around the same time, we are happy to coordinate your visits efficiently.