Mouthguards

Sport and Dental Injury

As Australians we love our sport! With two thirds of our kids playing at least one sport outside school hours it is no wonder accidents sometimes happen. Most of us know contact sports such as boxing, martial arts, rugby, AFL and hockey have a high risk of injury to the teeth and jawbones. But many “non-contact” sports including netball, soccer, skateboarding, cricket, basketball and BMX where mouthguard use is less common also carry a high risk of collision. Too often dentists see this first hand. These injuries are often challenging to treat, expensive, can have a high cosmetic impact and may involve ongoing long term costs.

Mouthguards are the best form of protection from serious sporting injuries such as broken jaws, teeth damage such as fractures, cracks, knock outs or damage to the lips and tongue.

Not all mouthguards are created equal

A custom fitted mouthguard works by absorbing the impact of the blow and is made to fit only you by your dentist. The dentist takes a teeth impression or a digital scan, then the most important aspect; picking the colour! Due to the precise nature of the impression or scan and a customised mouthguard created by your dentist is designed to fit your mouth exactly. It will be more resilient, less easily dislodged by an impact and allows easier speech and breathing. In contrast, one size fits all ‘boil and bite’ mouthguards are much more loosely fitted, bulkier and less comfortable. They are usually removed during play to speak and breathe as they impede performance. Most concerningly, they can dislodge during an impact which may present as a choking hazard.

A custom mouthguard provides protection for players of all ages from children to adults and beginners to experts letting you enjoy the sport you love.

To keep your mouthguard in good working order, wash it in cold water after use and ensure you keep it safe in the supplied protective case. It’s a good idea to bring it along to your regular Active maintenance and check-up appointments so your dentist can ensure the fit and function is still good.