Always confirm costs with your healthcare facility and/or insurance coverage
Whether you’re grinding teeth like a stress machine, playing full-contact sports, or just trying to stop snoring without rage-quitting your sleep, you need a mouthguard. But like everything else in healthcare — the price tags swing wildly.
Let’s break down what mouthguards cost, what you’re actually paying for, and which options are legit vs. a literal gag.
💡 Quick Answer:
Mouthguard Type |
Cost Range |
Use Case |
|---|---|---|
Boil-and-Bite (OTC) |
$10 – $40 |
Sports, minor grinding |
Custom Night Guard (Dentist) |
$300 – $800 |
Moderate to severe teeth grinding |
Online Custom Mouthguard |
$90 – $200 |
Same as dentist, cheaper |
Sports Mouthguard (Custom) |
$100 – $300 |
Football, MMA, hockey |
Sleep Apnea Oral Device |
$500 – $2,000+ |
Mild sleep apnea (alternative to CPAP) |
😬 Yes, something that lives in your mouth while you sleep can cost almost as much as your rent.
🛍️ Over-the-Counter (OTC) Mouthguards
Brand |
Type |
Price |
Use |
|---|---|---|---|
Shock Doctor |
Boil-and-Bite |
$15 – $35 |
Sports |
Plackers Grind No More |
Disposable Night Guards |
$20 (10-pack) |
Light grinding |
DenTek Maximum Protection |
Moldable Night Guard |
$25 – $35 |
Moderate grinding |
SleepRight Dura-Comfort |
Ready-to-wear |
$40 – $50 |
Light–moderate bruxism |
🔥 Good for budget fixes or first-time users. Not so great for chronic grinders or heavy-duty use.
🦷 Dentist-Made Mouthguards
Service |
Cost (No Insurance) |
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
Custom Night Guard |
$300 – $800 |
Perfect fit, durable |
Expensive AF |
Sports Mouthguard |
$150 – $300 |
Great for high-impact protection |
Same deal — $$$ |
Sleep Apnea Oral Device |
$1,000 – $2,500 |
Insurance may cover |
Only for diagnosed cases |
💡 These are lab-made using impressions of your teeth = most comfortable, but the most costly.
💻 Online Custom Mouthguard Companies
Brand |
Cost |
Features |
|---|---|---|
Cheeky |
$99 – $150 |
Night guards; subscription option |
Sporting Smiles |
$90 – $130 |
Bruxism or sports; DIY impression kit |
Pro Teeth Guard |
$150 – $200 |
Dental-grade; 3–4 week turnaround |
Chomper Labs |
$149 – $179 |
Soft, hybrid, or hard guards for bruxism |
🧠 These are legit — most use the same dental labs as your dentist, just without the markup.
🩺 Does Insurance Cover Mouthguards?
Type |
Covered? |
|---|---|
Night Guards |
Sometimes (if medically necessary for bruxism) |
Sports Mouthguards |
❌ Usually not |
Sleep Apnea Devices |
✅ Often covered with diagnosis |
FSA/HSA Eligible? |
✅ Yes — for night guards & sleep devices |
✅ Pro Tip: Ask your dentist for a diagnosis code so you can submit for reimbursement.
💭 Final Thoughts: Cheap Isn’t Always Smart (But Expensive Isn’t Always Better)
If you’re just trying to avoid cracked molars or a broken nose, start cheap and test the waters. But if you’ve got jaw pain, TMJ, or a bruxism habit worse than a 4th quarter deadline — go custom. Your teeth (and wallet) will thank you later.
🦷 A $300 mouthguard is still cheaper than a $2,000 crown.
🔚 Bottom Line
- Boil-and-bite guards = $10–$40, good for sports and light protection
- Custom dentist guards = $300–$800, most durable and effective
- Online custom = $90–$200, same result for less cash
- FSA/HSA funds? Use them — this counts
- Grinding, snoring, clenching? There’s a guard for that — just don’t overpay for plastic
🧾 User-Reported Cost: I’ve noticed that the cheapest mouthguards can actually lead to bigger dental issues later, costing even more. Those DIY options might seem great, but a bad fit can be a real problem!
🧾 User-Reported Cost: You think I want to spend more money fixing problems? What’s your go-to brand?