Sports mouthguards
A custom-fitted guard is the cheapest dental insurance in sport.
Overview
A blow to the mouth can chip, loosen or knock out teeth, and fixing a single knocked-out front tooth can mean decades of maintenance. A well-fitted mouthguard absorbs and spreads impact, protecting teeth, lips and jaws — and it only works if it is actually worn, including at training.
Custom-fitted guards made from a scan or mould of your teeth fit snugly, let you speak and breathe normally, and stay in place on impact. Boil-and-bite guards from the chemist are better than nothing, but they fit loosely, get chewed out of shape and can dislodge exactly when you need them. Dental associations consistently recommend custom-fitted guards for any contact or collision sport.
Children in contact sports need their guards checked (and usually remade) as their teeth and jaws grow.
What to know
- Protects against chipped, loosened and knocked-out teeth, and lip injuries
- Custom-fitted guards outperform boil-and-bite guards for fit and protection
- Must be worn at training, not just on game day
- Children's guards need regular refitting as teeth erupt
- Mouthguards also reduce the severity of some jaw injuries
Caring for it
- Rinse after use and clean with cold water and a soft brush — hot water warps it
- Store dry in its ventilated case, away from heat and pets
- Bring it to check-ups so we can check the fit
- Replace it when it is distorted, split, or no longer fits snugly
Common questions
Are chemist boil-and-bite guards good enough?
Which sports need a mouthguard?
My child has braces — can they still wear one?
How long does a custom guard last?
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