A custom mouthguard protects your teeth from a hockey puck, a basketball elbow, or from years of grinding at night. Brampton Smiles makes both sportguards and night guards from a digital scan taken right here in Sunny Meadow, for children and adults. Dr. Azher Abbas says drugstore guards are "better than nothing and worse than almost anything else", because they shift, loosen and come out.
Sportguard or night guard?
- Sportguards are thicker and softer, designed to absorb a sudden blow.
- Night guards are thinner and harder, designed to handle the steady pressure of grinding or clenching in your sleep.
A soft sportguard worn overnight can sometimes increase clenching, so they are not a substitute for a night guard.
Who needs a custom sportguard?
Anyone who plays a contact sport, uses a hard ball, puck or stick, or is at risk of falls. That includes hockey, basketball, soccer, football, rugby, lacrosse, martial arts, skateboarding and mountain biking. We fit guards from about age 6 through adult. Extra care is worth it for children whose adult teeth are still coming in, patients in braces or aligners, anyone with veneers, crowns or bonded front teeth, and anyone who has already lost or broken a front tooth.
Who needs a night guard?
Dr. Abbas usually recommends one when an exam shows flattened biting surfaces, small vertical cracks in enamel, notching at the gumline, tender jaw muscles, or if you wake up with headaches. A night guard reduces the load of grinding but does not cure it. We also look at stress, sleep, airway and bite. A custom nightguard is included with every veneer case.
How it works: three simple steps
- Digital scan (about 20 minutes). A small wand, no impression trays. Scans are available until 7 PM on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and also on Saturday. Confirm times when you book.
- Lab fabrication (7 to 10 days). We pick the thickness for your sport. Team colours are available.
- Fit and adjustment (about 15 minutes). We check the grip and bite, trim pressure points and show you how to insert, remove and store it.
Caring for your guard
- Rinse it in cool water after each use.
- Brush it gently with a soft brush and no toothpaste.
- Let it air dry fully and store it in a vented case.
- Keep it away from heat. Hot water, hot cars and dishwashers can warp it for good.
- Bring it to your check-ups so we can check the fit.
Children's sportguards often last one season because jaws grow. Adult guards usually last 2 to 5 years. We keep your scan on file, so adult replacements usually do not need a new scan. Growing children usually need a fresh scan.
Cost and insurance
Many Canadian extended plans cover guards, sometimes with age or frequency limits. CDCP is accepted for eligible patients. We direct-bill Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, Desjardins, ClaimSecure and others, check your coverage first and give you a written estimate. We also offer 0% in-house payment plans.
Before Your Visit
- Tell us which sport you play and your position, or describe your grinding symptoms.
- Bring any old guard so we can check it.
- Tell us about braces, aligners or recent dental work.
- Pick team colours if you want them.
- Bring your insurance or CDCP card.
After Your Treatment
- It can feel snug at first. Wear it in short sessions to get used to it.
- Wear the sportguard for every practice and game. Wear the night guard every night.
- If you have aligners, take them out for play and wear the sportguard instead.
- Call us if the guard hurts, rubs or no longer fits.
- Replace it when it is worn or after a growth spurt in children.
Visit Brampton Smiles
50 Sunny Meadow Blvd, Unit 300, Brampton, ON L6R 0Y7, near Bovaird Drive East. Phone: (905) 793-8668.
Hours: Mon, Wed, Thu 10 AM to 7 PM. Tue, Fri 10 AM to 5 PM. Sat 9 AM to 2 PM. Sun closed.
Book your mouthguard scan.
Related pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Do custom mouthguards work for adults?
Yes. We make them for children and adults.
Can I wear one with braces?
Yes. We leave extra room over the brackets. Aligner patients take the trays out for play and wear the sportguard.
How long until it is ready?
Most guards are ready 7 to 10 days after the scan.
Will a night guard stop my grinding?
It protects your teeth from damage but does not cure grinding. Dr. Abbas also looks at stress, sleep, airway and bite.
Why not just buy one at the store?
Store-bought boil-and-bite guards fit loosely, can shift or come out, and protect less.
Do you do hockey mouthguards in Brampton?
Yes. We make custom sportguards for hockey and other contact sports.
Is a mouthguard covered by insurance?
Many plans cover them, sometimes with age or frequency limits. We check your coverage first.