General & Preventive
Custom Sports Mouthguards in Downey
A knocked-out front tooth costs far more — in money, visits and years of upkeep — than a mouthguard ever will. Custom-fitted guards protect better than boil-and-bite versions, and athletes actually keep them in.
Se habla español · Serving Downey, Pico Rivera, South Gate, Bellflower & nearby
Why custom beats boil-and-bite
A store-bought guard is a compromise shape softened over a generic tray. It is usually too bulky, it loosens as it warms, and it makes breathing and talking awkward — so athletes chew it, push it out with their tongue, or quietly leave it in the bag.
A custom guard is made from a precise impression of your teeth. It is thinner where it can be and thicker where impact actually lands, it stays seated without clenching, and you can talk and breathe normally. Protection you will genuinely wear is the only protection that counts.
Who should be wearing one
Any sport with contact, a ball, a stick, a bat or a hard floor: football, basketball, soccer, baseball and softball, wrestling, martial arts, hockey, skateboarding and BMX. Basketball and soccer send a surprising number of patients to us — elbows and collisions do as much damage as tackles.
Children and teens are the highest priority. They are still growing, they play the hardest, and a tooth lost in adolescence means decades of crowns, root canals or an eventual implant. If your child plays a school sport, this is one of the cheapest pieces of protective gear you will ever buy.
Fitting, care and replacement
It is a quick, comfortable appointment: we take an impression or digital scan, you choose a colour, and the lab builds it. Rinse it in cool water after every use, brush it gently, and store it in its vented case — never in a hot car, which warps the fit permanently.
Adults typically get several seasons out of a guard. Growing kids often need a new one each season or two as adult teeth come in, and anyone in orthodontic treatment needs a guard designed for it. Bring it to your checkups and we will check the fit for free.
Request an appointment with Dr. Sameer Aljanedi in Downey — book online or call our team. We welcome new patients, accept most PPO & HMO plans plus Denti-Cal and Medi-Cal, and se habla español.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
At what age should a child start wearing one?
As soon as they begin playing an organised contact or ball sport — often around age six or seven. Protecting the front teeth matters most once the permanent ones come in, usually between seven and nine.
How long does it take to make?
One short visit for the impression or scan, then usually about a week for the lab. If a season starts sooner than that, call us and we will tell you honestly whether we can make the date.
Can I wear a mouthguard with braces?
Yes, and you absolutely should — a collision with brackets can cut the lips badly. We make a guard specifically designed to fit over orthodontic appliances and accommodate teeth that are still moving.
How do I clean and store it?
Rinse in cool water before and after use, brush it gently with a toothbrush, and let it dry in a vented case. Keep it out of hot cars and away from pets — heat warps it and dogs love them.
Does insurance cover a sports mouthguard?
Some plans include them, particularly for children. We will check your benefits, and even without coverage a custom guard costs a small fraction of repairing a single broken front tooth.