Sports Mouth Guards in Johns Creek

A broken front tooth takes a second to happen and years to keep fixing. A custom mouth guard, molded to your teeth, absorbs the hit so you can play hard and keep your smile intact.

Book a consultationCall 770-814-7600
molded from an impression of your own teeth
Custom
one for the impression, one to fit the finished guard
Two visits
with contact or a fall risk, from football to skateboarding
Any sport
A laughing child in a dental chair holding a colorful toothbrush

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the season?

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What is a sports
mouth guard?

A sports mouth guard is a flexible shield worn over the upper teeth during practice and games. When something hits your face, the guard spreads the force across all your teeth instead of letting one take the whole blow and crack or break. It also keeps your teeth from cutting your lips and cheeks, and cushions your jaw.

Store-bought guards come in one shape and fit loosely, so athletes chew on them, talk around them, or leave them on the bench. A custom guard is made from an impression of your teeth, which makes it thinner, snugger, and easier to breathe and speak through. Kids and teens are far more likely to keep one in.

Getting one is simple. Dr. Bhoompalli examines your teeth and takes an impression, a dental lab makes the guard, and at a short second visit she checks the fit and trims anything that rubs. Growing athletes get theirs checked each season, since new teeth and a growing jaw change the fit.

At Johns Creek Family Dentistry, sports guards are made for the whole family, from youth leagues to adult rec teams, and Dr. Bhoompalli fits guards over braces for athletes in the middle of orthodontic treatment.

How long does it take to get a sports guard?

Two short visits: one for the impression, and one to fit the guard once the lab has made it. If the season is about to start, tell us when you call and we will get the impression done as soon as we can.

Is a custom guard comfortable to wear?

Much more than a store guard. Because it follows your teeth exactly, it is thinner and does not need to be held in place with your jaw. You can breathe through your mouth, talk to teammates, and drink water without taking it out.

How much does a sports mouth guard cost?

A custom guard costs more than a store guard, and far less than repairing a broken tooth. Some dental plans cover athletic guards, especially for children. Your exact fee is set at your consultation.

How do I take care of it?

Rinse it with cool water before and after every use, clean it with soap and a toothbrush, and store it in a ventilated case. Keep it out of hot water and hot cars, which warp the plastic, and replace it when it shows cracks, thin spots, or a loose fit.

Molded to Your TeethSlim and SnugBreathe and Talk FreelyFits Over BracesKids, Teens, and AdultsProtects Lips and JawTwo Short VisitsCheaper Than a Broken Tooth

Who should wear a sports mouth guard?

Helmets protect heads. Nothing protects teeth unless you put it there.

Sports guards are for anyone whose sport brings contact, collisions, or falls, at any age and any skill level. Injuries happen in practice as well as in games, and in recreational leagues as well as competitive ones. If you are not sure a sport qualifies, ask Dr. Bhoompalli at your next visit.

  • Football, hockey, lacrosse, and rugby players

    Full-contact sports where a guard is usually required by the league, and where a custom fit matters most.

  • Basketball and soccer players

    No pads, plenty of elbows and heads, and a stray ball or a fall onto the court can reach your teeth.

  • Wrestlers, boxers, and martial artists

    Direct blows to the face are part of the sport. A guard protects teeth, lips, and the jaw.

  • Skateboarders, cyclists, and gymnasts

    No opponent, but hard surfaces and speed. A fall onto the face is the classic front-tooth injury.

  • Kids and teens in youth leagues

    A comfortable guard is one a young athlete will actually keep in, and the fit needs checking as they grow.

  • Athletes wearing braces or with dental work

    Brackets cut lips on impact, and crowns and veneers chip. A guard shaped over them protects both.

Questions about sports guards

What parents and athletes ask before the season starts. Anything not covered here is a phone call away.

Still have a question? Call 770-814-7600 or text the same number.

Page updated September 2026

Which sports need a mouth guard?

Any sport with contact, collisions, or a real chance of a fall: football, hockey, lacrosse, basketball, soccer, wrestling, martial arts, boxing, and rugby, but also skateboarding, mountain biking, and gymnastics. If a stray elbow, ball, or hard surface could reach your face, a guard belongs in the bag.

How is a custom guard different from a boil-and-bite guard?

A boil-and-bite guard is a one-size blank you soften in hot water and press onto your teeth. It comes out thick, loose, and hard to breathe around, which is why athletes chew on them or take them out. A custom guard is made from an impression of your teeth, so it is slimmer, stays in place, and lets you talk and breathe normally.

Can my child wear a mouth guard with braces?

Yes, and they should. A guard protects the lips and cheeks from the brackets on impact as much as it protects the teeth. Talk to Dr. Bhoompalli and your orthodontist about a guard shaped to fit over braces, since the fit changes as the teeth move.

How long will a sports mouth guard last?

For adults, a well-cared-for custom guard lasts several seasons. For kids and teens it is usually a season or two, because growing jaws and incoming teeth change the fit. Check it regularly for cracks, thinning, or a loose fit, and replace it when it no longer sits snugly.

Does a mouth guard protect against concussions?

The evidence is mixed. Mouth guards are proven to prevent dental and soft-tissue injuries, and some studies suggest they may cushion jaw impacts. Treat one as protection for your teeth, mouth, and jaw, and rely on your helmet and safe play for your head.

What should I do if a tooth gets knocked out during a game?

Find the tooth, hold it by the crown rather than the root, rinse it gently if it is dirty, and put it back in the socket if you can. If not, keep it in milk or in the cheek and call us immediately. A knocked-out tooth replanted within about an hour has a real chance of being saved.

Where to next?

Play Hard,
Keep Every Tooth

Book a Mouth Guard Fitting

Prefer to talk? Call 770-814-7600 during office hours.