
Yes, dental insurance plans may cover the cost of a mouth guard if it is prescribed by a dentist. Some insurance companies will even provide partial coverage of mouth guards as long as they are determined to be medically necessary. Coverage requirements vary depending on the type and level of your plan, so it is best to contact your provider for details about your specific policy.
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Who Can Benefit from Wearing a Mouth Guard?

Mouth guards are an increasingly popular form of preventive care for anyone who could be at risk of injury to their teeth and gums. Not only can they protect against accidental falls and contact sports, but they also help with bruxism, or grinding of the teeth while asleep. As such, many people can benefit from wearing a mouth guard, especially those involved in active lifestyles.
Adults often suffer from TMJ issues which is a painful disorder that affects the jaw joint and nearby muscles. To avoid exacerbating existing symptoms, wearing a custom fit mouth guard may be recommended by a dentist as part of the treatment plan. A custom fit mouth guard will create more comfort for an individual when it comes to speaking or eating compared to an ill-fitting one found in stores. Adults prone to clenching or grinding their teeth when sleeping should also use a nightguard for optimal protection.
Children can benefit from wearing protective mouth guards too; according to American Dental Association studies, mouths injuries account for up to 40 percent of all dental trauma amongst children participating in organized sports activities or recreational activities like skateboarding and bike riding. For this reason alone it is highly recommended that parents invest into buying appropriate safety gear like helmets and durable mouth guards with proper fitting. Wearing protective equipment not only protects the child’s overall oral health but also reduces any emergency visits due to oral trauma that might occur during these activities resulting in high costs down the line if left untreated.
Types of Mouth Guards

Mouth guards, also known as sports mouth protectors, are a great way to shield your teeth from everyday wear and tear. They come in three different types depending on the user’s needs.
The first type of mouth guard is the stock mouth guard which is pre-formed and found at most sporting goods stores or online retailers. It is ready to use right out of the package, but because it’s not customized to an individual’s particular teeth shape and bite pattern it won’t provide maximum protection like other mouth guards can. This type of mouth guard is good for people who play light contact sports such as baseball or softball.
Next there are boil-and-bite custom fit style mouth guards. These must be heated up so they soften, then you bite down on them so that they conform better to your teeth shape and jaw size. This will provide a little more protection than the stock one but still may not offer as much protection as some individuals need if they’re engaging in higher impact activities like football or hockey games for example.
Finally there are dentist dispensed custom fitted models which offers users with the most comfortable fit because each one is precisely made based off of an impression taken by a dentist from their patient’s mouths. These dental devices help absorb shock better than their over-the-counter counterparts making it possible for athletes to play more aggressively without having concerns about injuries resulting from teeth contact with another player during game play that could occur when wearing noncustomized equipment. Although this option comes at a steeper price point due to its specialized nature, many insurance companies do cover it under certain circumstances given how well these provide protective benefits while playing high intensity sports compared to others kinds of mouth guards available in market today.
Cost of Mouth Guards and Dental Insurance Coverage

The cost of a mouth guard can vary widely depending on the type, materials used, and customization involved. A basic stock mouthguard usually costs around $10 to $20 USD. However, one that is custom fitted by your dentist or orthodontist could range from $200 to $400 USD. If you are looking for something specialized with special features like a strap or inter-proximal coverage it may be significantly more expensive.
When considering dental insurance coverage for mouth guards it’s important to note that most plans don’t cover all types of guards. Only those deemed medically necessary will typically be covered by health insurers which means there must be an underlying medical reason to need it such as TMJ disorder, sleep apnea, bruxism (teeth grinding), etc. If the use of a particular mouth guard is recommended due to these conditions then many times insurance will pay for some portion of the cost but each plan can differ in what is covered and at what rate so you should check with your provider before making any commitments. In some cases like children who are required to wear sports mouth guards due to participation in contact sports, typical dental plans won’t cover this type of protector however often supplemental vision and accident policies will provide coverage similar to any other sporting equipment related injury such as eyeglasses or braces resulting from injuries while playing team sports.
Are Custom-Made Mouth Guards Covered by Insurance?

Many people are unaware that custom-made mouth guards may be eligible for insurance coverage. Whether they are used to protect teeth while playing sports or to help reduce snoring and sleep apnea, custom-made mouth guards can be a costly expense. Fortunately, some dental plans do provide coverage for them.
In order to determine whether your plan covers custom-made mouth guards, you will need to contact your provider directly. It is also important to check any limitations on the policy as different plans offer different levels of coverage. Many policies require a prior authorization from a dentist before approving the cost of treatment. So make sure that your dentist has written an authorization letter and submitted it along with your claim form.
Custom-made mouth guards may also be covered by health savings accounts (HSAs) or flexible spending accounts (FSAs). These accounts allow you to save money pre-tax towards medical expenses like dental treatments and equipment such as custom-made mouth guards. Check with your employer or healthcare provider regarding eligibility requirements and potential tax implications associated with these types of accounts before making a decision on which one is right for you.
Risks of Not Wearing a Mouth Guard

Having a mouth guard is essential for athletes participating in contact sports. By wearing one, it can help prevent concussions and other serious dental injuries such as chipped or broken teeth, jaw fractures and lacerations to the lips, tongue, face or inside of the mouth. Not wearing a mouth guard while playing these kinds of sports leaves you vulnerable to severe facial trauma that can occur in any one moment – something even more costly if dental insurance doesn’t cover mouth guards.
Given that contact sports have an inherent risk of injury, players must be aware of all the potential risks associated with not having adequate protection while they are engaging in physical activity. To sustain long-term safety during playtime and avoid potential oral health issues further down the line is why a properly fitted mouth guard should always be worn on the field. Wearing a professional-grade custom fit solution has been proven to significantly reduce trauma occurring from accidental blows or direct contact with opponents’ bodies or equipment by acting like an external shock absorber for those unforseen strikes and collisions that may happen unexpectedly in seconds.
Failing to wear proper protective gear makes it increasingly difficult for anyone’s dentist to control future problems resulting from bacteria buildup due to tooth damage following high-impact collisions between teeth which could lead to additional cavities later on. Having a nice smile free from cavities may prove challenging when people put off getting professionally fitted for their own personalizedmouthguards due to coverage cost concerns so taking steps now towards prevention today will save much money at the dentist later down the road.
Best Practices for Taking Care of a Personalized Mouth Guard

Having a custom-fitted mouth guard is an investment in protecting your oral health. Personalized mouth guards are often made of higher quality materials and fit to the exact specifications of each individual, providing superior protection when compared to generic over-the-counter options. When it comes to taking care of these specialized devices, there are certain best practices that can ensure they provide lasting protection.
The first thing you should do after receiving your personalized mouth guard is familiarizing yourself with proper cleaning techniques. The best way to clean any type of sports guard or retainer is using a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water. Avoid abrasive cleaners such as bleach and soapy water, as this will cause damage to the device’s material over time. Brushing regularly with the above mentioned technique helps remove plaque build up and prevents bad breath caused by bacteria growth between appointments with the dentist or orthodontist.
It’s also important that users take extra care when storing their protective device overnight or when not in use for extended periods of time: Be sure to keep it in its original container away from direct sunlight and high temperatures – both conditions can cause deformation which might make it necessary for users to re-visit their dental professional in order obtain another fitting session. Households filled with active pets should be especially mindful during storage because dogs have been known chew on these devices out of sheer curiosity – leading owners having to pay hefty fees for replacement costs.