Sporting accidents are one of the most common causes of dental injury in children. These dental injuries may include fractured, displaced or knocked out teeth and broken jaws. Wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard helps to absorb and spread the impact of a blow to your face, which might otherwise result in an injury to your mouth or jaw.
5 Good reasons to wear a mouthguard:
- Cushions teeth against impact
- Protects against soft tissue injuries
- May help reduce concussion
- Protects against jaw joint injuries
- Helps prevent neck and jaw injuries
When should I wear a mouthguard? Custom fitted mouthguards should be worn whilst playing and training for any sport where there is a possibility of contact to the face. These sports can include football, rugby, hockey, netball, basketball, soccer and water polo.
Which type of mouthguard should I wear? The Australian Dental Association strongly recommends wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard to ensure maximum protection. A custom-fitted mouthguard provides a better fit than other varieties as they are made by one of our dentists to suit your individual needs. These mouthguards are comfortable, well-fitting, they allow you to speak clearly, won’t fall out and won’t restrict your breathing.
Over-the-counter (boil and bite) mouthguards are far less effective than custom-fitted mouthguards. However, if you are in the midst of orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist may recommend an over-the-counter mouthguard whilst your teeth are moving.