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Do I need a custom sports mouthguard ?

By Maharjan's Local Dentures7 min read

custom sports mouthguard

Protect your smile with custom sports mouthguards. Learn benefits, care tips, sports recommendations, and why custom-fit mouthguards offer superior protection.

With the beginning of the new season, don't forget to ensure that not only your football shoes and shirt, but your mouthguard too, is ready for the game. Whatever sports you're playing that may be either rugby, AFL, soccer, hockey, or boxing the use of the appropriate mouthguard will help you avoid damage to your teeth, jawbone, and facial bone structure.

To achieve optimal protection, you should select from specialized options like kids' mouthguards, custom-fitted designs, or those specifically engineered for use with braces.

Why Are Mouthguards Important for Sports?

Regardless of whether you are engaged in rugby, AFL, hockey, basketball, martial arts, or any other form of contact sport, wearing a sports mouthguard is among the easiest ways to safeguard your grin. The well-fitted mouthguard will act as a cushioning barrier against your teeth, gums, lips, cheeks, and jaw to minimize the effects of impact when you fall or collide during the game.

Injuries to the teeth from sports are some of the most frequently encountered face injuries among Australian athletes. In spite of that, many athletes take part in various sporting activities without proper protection from their dentists. According to the Australian Dental Association, only 36 percent of Australian children between the ages of five and seventeen wear mouthguards when they engage in sport.

Why should every Athlete wear a sports Mouthguard?

Injuries to the mouth are unpredictable and costly in terms of urgent care, dental treatment, and lost participation in sport, education, or work. The best way to be prepared is to purchase a tailor-made sports mouthguard for ultimate safety, comfort, and performance over off-the-shelf products.

Whatever your sport or level, whether a professional athlete, a sports fan or a parent of a young participant, a sports mouthguard is an investment that pays for itself by protecting your teeth and avoiding unnecessary dental damage.

Invest in your oral health now to save yourself trouble later on down the track.

custom fitted sports mouthguards

Which sports require a Mouthguard:-

Mouth Guard Recommended For The Following Sports

It is highly advisable to have custom sports mouth guards for the following Australian sports:

  • Australian Football
  • Rugby League and Rugby Union
  • Football
  • Hockey
  • Basketball
  • Netball
  • Martial Arts
  • Boxing
  • Skateboarding
  • BMX and Mountain Biking
  • Cricket
  • Lacrosse

Even in sports that do not fall under the contact sports category, there can be instances where there could be an accident resulting in injury to the teeth and jaw.

Is It Worth Buying a Custom Sports Mouthguard?

Injuries are unpredictable and costly in terms of urgent care, dental treatment, and lost participation in sport, education, or work. So Cost comparisons with Dentistry Expenses are not valid as your well being is priceless.

Can Mouthguards Be Used at Night?

Teeth grinding and jaw clenching during sleep cause various problems such as tooth damage, jaw problems, headaches, and other dental complications. In such situations, it is best to use a night guard or dental splint.

However, it is necessary to understand that there is a significant difference between sports guards and night guards because a night guard is intended to protect your teeth from grinding at night time while the main function of a sports guard is to protect teeth and jaws from any impact during physical activities.

If you experience any problems related to night-time grinding or jaw clenching, you should consult your dentist who will help you find the right solution.

How to take care of your Custom-Made Sports Mouth Guard

Proper care ensures that the fit, cleanliness, and longevity of your custom-made sports mouth guard remain intact.

  1. Rinse it after each usage with cold water.
  2. Clean the mouth guard by brushing it gently with a soft toothbrush using mild soap.
  3. Store the mouth guard in a suitable case.
  4. Store in areas free of excessive heat and exposure to sunlight.
  5. Do not leave the mouth guard in places of extreme heat like inside a parked car.
  6. Check the mouth guard regularly for any damage or signs of wear.
  7. Replace the mouth guard if it is loose, worn out, or cracked.
washing sports mouthguard

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need a custom sports mouthguard for contact sports?

Yes. If you play contact sports such as rugby, AFL, hockey and boxing we highly recommend a custom sports mouthguard.

2. What are the advantages of a custom-fitted mouthguard?

A custom fit mouth guard is much more comfortable, allows you to breathe better and offers better protection than the over-the-counter mouth guards. It is made for your bite, so it stays in better when you play sports.

If you want to explore professional dental fittings, visit: Custom Dental Services

3. What sports involve wearing a mouthguard?

Mouthguards are recommended for sports such as Rugby, AFL, Soccer, Basketball, Netball, Hockey, Martial arts, BMX, Skateboarding and Boxing. Dental injuries can happen from accidental blows, even in non-contact sports.

For more oral protection advice, check: Oral Health Services

4. Are children able to use customized mouthguards for playing sports?

Yes. It is vital that child athletes wear properly fitting mouthguards when playing any sport. Customized mouthpieces provide more comfort than stock mouthpieces, encouraging their use on a regular basis.

5. How long do customized sports-mouthpieces last?

On average, a customized mouthpiece can be expected to last 1 to 2 seasons, depending on how frequently your child participates in athletics and how well they have maintained their mouthpiece.

For more queries, see our FAQs