Patient video
Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.
★★★★★
Port Dover Family Dentistry
Sports Guards in Walsh
Contact sports, riding and rec leagues carry dental injury risk. Walsh athletes can see how a custom guard is fitted in Port Dover and when to replace it.
New patients welcomeCDCP accepted
Let’s get you smiling
Book an appointment
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Caring for patients from Walsh and the surrounding countryside at our Port Dover office
See every dental service for WalshProtection that stays put
A guard that fits well is one you will actually wear.
Sports guards help protect teeth, lips, cheeks and the jaw from impacts during hockey, football, lacrosse, rugby, martial arts, basketball, mountain biking and many other activities. Adults in recreational leagues are just as prone to dental injuries as younger players. A guard that fits comfortably makes it far more likely you will wear it every time.
Walsh athletes can be fitted for a custom sports guard at our Port Dover office. The dentist will check your teeth and any dental work, discuss your sport and the level of protection needed, and make a guard designed to fit your mouth securely and comfortably.
Why wear one
Prevention is far easier than repair.
Preventing dental injuries
A guard absorbs and spreads the force of a blow, reducing the chance of chipped, broken or knocked-out teeth and cuts to the lips and cheeks. It may also lessen the jolt to the jaw from a hit to the chin. Treating a serious dental injury can involve multiple visits, costly repairs and lifelong follow-up, so prevention is well worth the effort.
Protecting dental work
If you have crowns, bridges, veneers or implants, a guard helps protect that investment from damage during play. Let the dentist know about all of your dental work, including anything planned in the coming months, so the guard can be designed to fit around it properly and does not need replacing soon after it is made.
Custom vs stock
Fit and comfort make a big difference.
Stock and boil-and-bite guards
Stock guards come ready to wear but are often bulky and loose, held in place only by clenching. Boil-and-bite guards are softened in hot water and shaped at home, offering a better fit but sometimes uneven thickness where they were bitten through. Both can make breathing and talking harder on the ice or field, so many athletes end up not wearing them at all.
Custom-fitted guards
Custom guards are made from impressions or scans of your teeth, providing a precise fit with appropriate thickness for your sport and position. They tend to stay in place better and feel less bulky in the mouth, which makes it easier to breathe, talk to teammates and drink water. That comfort encourages consistent use during every practice and game.
Fitting
Two short visits complete the process.
Impressions and design
The team takes impressions or a scan of your teeth and discusses your sport, your position and any colour preferences, including team colours if you like. If you have dental work planned, ask about timing, so the guard fits your final restorations rather than the old ones. Allow enough lead time for the guard to be made before your season starts.
Trying it on
At the fitting visit, the dentist checks that the guard seats fully, does not press on the gums and allows comfortable breathing through the mouth. Adjustments are made if anything rubs or feels tight. Practise wearing it at home for short periods before your first game, so it feels familiar and you are not distracted by it during play.
Care
A cared-for guard lasts longer.
Cleaning and storage
Rinse your guard after each use, clean it with a soft brush and cool water, and let it dry in a ventilated case. Keep it out of hot vehicles and away from hockey bag heat, both of which can warp it. Do not chew on the guard between plays, as this wears it down quickly, thins the protective layer and reduces how well it works when you need it.
Knowing when to replace
Bring your guard to checkups so the dentist can check its fit and wear. Replace it if it is cracked, thin, loose or no longer fits after dental work or orthodontic changes. For athletes in Walsh with long seasons or more than one sport through the year, a quick check before each new season is a sensible and easy habit to build.
Planning your appointment
Getting a sports guard from Walsh
Call our Port Dover office to book a fitting. Let us know your sport, when your season starts and any dental work or orthodontic appliances, so the guard can be planned properly and ready in time.
If you have an existing guard, bring it along so the dentist can compare the fit and discuss possible improvements with you.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
Sports guard questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
Do adults need sports guards?
Yes. Adults in recreational sports are at risk of dental injuries just as younger players are. A custom guard can help protect natural teeth and existing dental work from costly damage during games, practices and casual pickup play.
Can I breathe and talk with a custom guard?
A well-fitted custom guard is designed to allow comfortable breathing and reasonable speech. Bulky or poorly fitted guards are more likely to interfere with both. The dentist checks this at the fitting visit and adjusts the guard if needed.
How often should I replace my sports guard?
Replace it when it shows wear, cracks or thinning, no longer fits, or after dental work changes your teeth. Many athletes have it checked each season, so they can be confident it still offers good protection when it matters.
Can I wear a sports guard with braces?
Yes, and it is important to protect both your teeth and the braces from impact. A guard for braces needs to allow for the brackets and ongoing tooth movement. Let the dentist know about your braces so a suitable design is chosen.
Is a sports guard the same as a night guard?
No. Sports guards are thicker and designed to absorb impacts during play. Night guards are thinner and protect against grinding during sleep. Each is designed for a specific purpose, and they are not interchangeable with each other.
Protection for every age
Additional Services →Children’s Sports Mouthguards →
Hockey, ball or riding? Walsh parents can learn how custom kids’ mouthguards are fitted in Port Dover, how growth affects fit and when to replace one.
Dental Trauma Treatment →
A fall, a farm mishap or a sports hit can injure teeth. Walsh residents can learn first aid, when hospital comes first and how Port Dover assesses it.