Who needs a mouthguard?

All children and adults are recommended to wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports. Some sports may not be called a contact sport but there is a high risk of injury to the teeth and mouth. It is important to wear a mouthguard for these sports too.

Types of damage that can happen

• teeth can be cracked or fractured

• teeth can be knocked completely out of the mouth

• teeth can be over backwards, forwards or sideways in the mouth making them look crooked

• the nerves inside teeth can be damaged and slowly die

• the jaw bone can be fractured

• the tongue, lips or gums can become cut, bruised or swollen

These injuries can lead to dental treatment for the rest of your life.

Why is a custom-made mouthguard better than a store bought one?

A store bought ‘boil and bite’ mouthguard is bulky and poor fitting and can be a distraction to the player due to discomfort and difficulty speaking and breathing. A custom-made mouthguard is made to fit over the contours of your teeth and gums perfectly therefore it is more comfortable and less bulky and allows for easy breathing and speaking. Also the protection of a custom-made mouthguard is far better than a store bought one.

What is involved in getting a custom-made mouthguard?

Step 1: Your dentist/hygienist will take an impression or ‘mold’ of your teeth using a ‘putty’ material that takes about a minute to set to the consistency of rubber.  Usually the mouthguard is made to wear over your top teeth but in some cases it is worn over the bottom teeth.

Step 2: You choose your mouthguard type from our wide selection of colours and patterns.  Your job is now done!

Step 3: Your impression is ‘poured up’ in plaster creating an exact copy of your mouth. Your mouthguard is then fabricated onto this casting in our on-site lab by one of our dental practitioners. This process usually takes a few days.

Step 4: You pick up your mouthguard! No fitting appointment is usually required unless any adjustments are needed.

How do I look after my mouthguard?

• clean your mouthguard with cool water and a soft bristled toothbrush

• store it in a protective case

• do no put your mouthguard in boiling water or leave it in the sun. This can make it change shape

• do not chew on your mouthguard

For more information, download our mouthguard care sheet here.

My child still has some baby teeth or has a loose baby tooth, can they still get a custom-made mouthguard?

They sure can! Your dental practitioner will briefly assess your child’s teeth before taking an impression. If a baby tooth is loose or perceived to become loose and fall out within a few months, an area around the tooth will be ‘blocked-out’ to allow room in the mouthguard for the adult tooth to come through.  When your child is still growing and has a mixed dentition (both adult and baby teeth) they will usually require a new mouthguard each year/season.

My child has braces, can they still get a custom-made mouthguard?

Yes! Similar to above, when fabricating the mouthguard, your dental practitioner will ‘block-out’ space around the brackets.  Due to the nature of orthodontic treatment, the teeth will move and the mouthguard will only fit for a season.  It is very important to wear a mouthguard when playing sports when your child has braces as dental sporting injuries can be worse with braces (because all the teeth are attached).