Every August, the same shift happens across South Burnaby. Registration emails go out for fall soccer and hockey, cleats get sized at the mall, and the fields and rinks around Edmonds, Highgate and Middlegate start filling up with evening practices. It’s one of our favourite times of year at Burnaby South Dental — and, if we’re honest, one of our busiest for a reason we’d rather prevent: sports-related dental injuries.

A chipped front tooth from an elbow in a rebound. A knocked-out tooth from a slide tackle. We treat these every season at our Highgate clinic at 6975 Kingsway #2, and in most cases one small piece of equipment would have prevented the whole thing — a properly fitted sports mouthguard. Here’s what every Burnaby parent and rec-league player should know before the first whistle of the season.

Why mouthguards matter more than most parents think

Dental injuries are among the most common orofacial injuries in youth sports, and research cited by the Canadian Dental Association and the American Dental Association suggests athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are dramatically more likely — by some estimates up to 60 times — to suffer damage to their teeth.

The math is sobering. A custom sports mouthguard is a modest one-time cost. A knocked-out adult tooth can mean emergency treatment, a root canal, a crown, or eventually an implant — thousands of dollars and years of follow-up care for a tooth that can never fully be replaced. If your child plays hockey, soccer, basketball, rugby, lacrosse, field hockey or any martial art, a mouthguard belongs in the bag next to the water bottle.

The three types of mouthguards (and why they’re not equal)

Stock mouthguards

The ready-made guards from sports stores. They’re inexpensive, but they fit poorly, make breathing and talking difficult, and provide the least protection. Most athletes end up clenching to hold them in place — which is exactly what you don’t want mid-game.

Boil-and-bite mouthguards

A step up: you soften them in hot water and bite to shape them. They’re better than nothing, but the fit is inconsistent, the material thins out where you bite hardest (often exactly where protection matters most), and they usually need replacing every few months.

Custom-fitted mouthguards

Made by your dentist from a precise mould of your teeth. They fit securely without clenching, let you breathe and talk normally, distribute impact forces evenly, and last far longer. This is what we make at Burnaby South Dental, and it’s the standard recommended by the Canadian Dental Association for contact sports.

What does a custom sports mouthguard cost in Burnaby?

Custom sports mouthguards at a dental office in BC typically run in the range of $100–$300, depending on the design and thickness your sport calls for. That’s more than a drugstore guard — and still a fraction of the cost of restoring a single damaged tooth.

Many extended health and dental plans in BC include coverage for custom athletic mouthguards, especially for children and teens. Coverage varies by plan, so call us at (604) 540-6000 and our front desk will check your benefits before you book. If your family uses the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), we’re happy to walk you through what your plan covers — we accept CDCP at our Highgate clinic and help patients navigate it every day.

Kids, braces and growing mouths

For children and teenagers, fit changes fast. Baby teeth fall out, adult teeth erupt, and jaws grow — which is why we recommend having your child’s mouthguard checked at the start of every season, and replaced when it no longer fits snugly. A loose mouthguard protects poorly and tends to end up in a pocket instead of a mouth.

Athletes with braces need special attention: a custom guard can be designed to fit over brackets, protecting both the teeth and the soft tissue of the lips and cheeks (which take the worst of an impact against braces). If your child wears braces and plays a contact sport, please don’t rely on a boil-and-bite guard — come see us first.

A season-start mouthguard fitting also pairs naturally with a back-to-school dental checkup — one visit, and your athlete is covered for both the classroom and the field.

Sports mouthguard vs. night guard: not the same thing

We’re often asked whether a night guard for teeth grinding can double as a sports mouthguard. It can’t — and wearing the wrong one can damage it or leave you unprotected. A night guard is built to cushion grinding forces while you sleep; a sports guard is thicker in specific zones to absorb sudden impact. If you wake up with jaw pain or headaches, that’s a separate conversation — one we covered in our recent post on teeth grinding and night guards.

Caring for your mouthguard

Rinse it with cool water after every practice and game, brush it gently with a toothbrush and mild soap (not hot water — it warps the material), let it dry fully, and store it in a ventilated case. Bring it to your regular checkups and we’ll inspect it for wear and fit. With good care, a custom guard typically lasts an adult athlete several seasons.

If a dental injury happens anyway

Even with the best protection, accidents happen. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, time matters: handle it by the crown (not the root), rinse it briefly if dirty, try to place it back in the socket or keep it in milk, and call us immediately at (604) 540-6000. We keep room in our schedule for dental emergencies at our Burnaby clinic, and the first 30–60 minutes make a real difference to whether a tooth can be saved.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get a custom mouthguard in Burnaby?

Usually two short visits at our Highgate clinic: one to take impressions, and one about a week later to fit and adjust the finished guard. Book in August and your athlete is ready before the season starts.

What sports should my child wear a mouthguard for?

Any sport with a risk of impact to the face: hockey, soccer, basketball, rugby, lacrosse, football, field hockey, martial arts, boxing, skateboarding and mountain biking. Some Burnaby leagues and school teams require them for play.

Can my child wear a mouthguard with braces?

Yes — in fact, it’s especially important. We design custom guards that fit over orthodontic brackets and protect the lips and cheeks from injury against the braces.

How often should a mouthguard be replaced?

For growing kids and teens, check the fit every season and replace it when it loosens. Adults can often use a well-cared-for custom guard for several seasons. Bring it to your checkup and we’ll assess it for free.

Does insurance or CDCP cover sports mouthguards?

Many extended health plans in BC cover custom athletic mouthguards, particularly for minors. Coverage varies, so call us at (604) 540-6000 and we’ll check your plan — including how your CDCP or private benefits apply — before you book.

Book your athlete’s fitting before the season starts

The best time to get a mouthguard is before the first practice — not after the first injury. If your family’s fall calendar is filling up with games at Ron McLean Park, practices near Byrne Creek or skates at the local rink, add one more small errand to the list: a mouthguard fitting at Burnaby South Dental.

We’re your neighbourhood dentist in Highgate, serving families across South Burnaby, Middlegate, Edmonds and along Kingsway. Find us at 6975 Kingsway #2, Burnaby — open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. Call (604) 540-6000 or book your appointment online, and let’s keep every smile on your team intact this season.