Custom Sports Mouth Guards in Alpharetta, GA
A single collision on the field can turn into a chipped tooth, a costly repair, and months of follow-up care. Custom sports mouth guards in Alpharetta, GA, from Smiles on Main are built specifically for your bite, offering athletes of all ages better protection and a more comfortable fit than anything off the shelf.
What Custom Sports Mouth Guards Are
Sports mouth guards in Alpharetta, GA cushion the teeth, lips, and jaw against impact during physical activity. A custom guard is fabricated from an impression or scan of your own teeth, which means it fits snugly against your bite rather than relying on generic sizing. That precise fit is what separates a custom guard from the boil-and-bite versions found at most sporting goods stores.
Beyond protecting teeth, a well-fitted guard can also cushion the lips and inner cheeks and help absorb some of the force of an impact to the jaw, which is part of why many coaches and leagues require one for practice as well as game day.
Which Sports Require a Mouthguard
Any sport with a risk of contact or falls calls for a mouthguard, including football, basketball, soccer, baseball, hockey, wrestling, martial arts, and gymnastics. Even non-contact activities like skateboarding or cycling carry enough fall risk that many athletes choose to wear one. Both children and adults benefit from the added protection against chipped, cracked, or knocked-out teeth.
Some sports and leagues require a mouthguard before a player can take the field or court, so it is worth checking your specific organization's rules and getting fitted ahead of tryouts or the first practice.
Custom vs. Store-Bought Guards
Store-bought and boil-and-bite guards are inexpensive and available immediately, but they tend to be bulky, can interfere with breathing and speech, and often do not stay in place during activity. A custom guard is thinner, more comfortable, and molded specifically to your teeth, which makes athletes more likely to actually wear it consistently during games and practice.
The tradeoff is a short turnaround time for fabrication and a modest cost difference compared to an off-the-shelf option.
Our Fitting Process
Getting fitted starts with a quick, comfortable impression or scan of your teeth. That impression is used to fabricate a guard that matches your exact bite, and we schedule a short follow-up to check the fit and make any needed adjustments. Most athletes are ready to wear their new guard well before their season starts.
Cost and Insurance Factors
Some dental insurance plans include partial coverage for custom sports mouth guards, particularly for younger patients. Smiles on Main is in-network with most major dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental, Aetna, Cigna, and MetLife, and our team will check your specific benefits ahead of time. Even without coverage, a custom guard is generally far less costly than repairing a broken or knocked-out tooth. CareCredit and Cherry financing are available if needed.
Alternatives to Consider
Boil-and-bite guards from a sporting goods store are a lower-cost, same-day option for athletes who need something right away, though they trade fit and comfort for convenience, and many young athletes stop wearing them because they feel bulky or loose. For athletes in multiple sports or with orthodontic appliances, Dr. Gessling can advise on whether a single custom guard will work across activities or if separate guards or adjustments are needed as braces or aligners progress.
Protecting Smiles Across Alpharetta and North Fulton County
Whether your child plays travel soccer in Milton or competes in a recreational league in Roswell, a custom mouth guard from Smiles on Main gives young athletes real protection without sacrificing comfort. Our office at 342 N Main St #110 in Alpharetta also serves families from Cumming and Johns Creek, with walk-in appointments available Monday through Thursday.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Mouth Guards
Children should start wearing a mouthguard as soon as they participate in any sport with contact or fall risk. Custom guards can be made once enough permanent teeth have come in, which is typically around age 7 or 8.
Yes, for most athletes. Custom guards fit more precisely, are thinner and more comfortable, and are more likely to actually be worn during play compared to bulky boil-and-bite options.
Cost varies based on your insurance benefits and the type of guard needed. Our team will provide a clear estimate and check your coverage before fabrication begins.
Rinse it after each use, brush it gently with a toothbrush and mild soap, and store it in a ventilated case away from heat. Bring it to your dental visits so we can check the fit and condition over time.
In many cases, yes. A well-made custom guard can often be worn across several sports, though Dr. Gessling may recommend a different thickness or style depending on the level of contact involved in each activity.
Gear Up With a Guard Built for Your Bite
Whatever the sport, protect the smile behind it. Call 678-762-1613 to get fitted for a custom mouth guard at our Alpharetta office before the next season starts.