Custom Sport Mouthguards

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Many people believe sport is a quintessential part of the Australian lifestyle.

It is also strongly recommended by health professionals that both adults and children participate in a regular sport/physical activity due to the fantastic benefits to both physical and mental wellbeing.

However, the Australian Dental Association (ADA) warns that each year, thousands of adults and children are treated for dental injuries caused during sport that could have been prevented or minimised by simply wearing a mouthguard¹.

According to the AusPlay 2017 study², 55% of NSW children aged 0-14 years participated in sport at least once per week. Within the top 10 chosen sports were football, cricket, netball, basketball and rugby league. It also found that 69% of NSW adults participate in sport/physical activity at least twice per week.

While these statistics are great news for our Nation’s health (and should ideally be even higher), it’s crucial that participants understand the importance of protecting their teeth and mouth during play.

What is a sports mouthguard?

A sports mouthguard is a thick rubbery shield worn over the teeth (inside the mouth) that protects the face, jaws and teeth from impact to the face during sporting activities.

Who needs a mouthguard?

The ADA strongly recommends the use of a mouthguard in any sport or activity where collision with or contact to the face is likely, during both games and training.

Some “contact sports” seem obvious, such as rugby union and league, AFL, hockey, boxing and martial arts. However there is still a high risk of accidental collision in other sports that are often referred to as “non-contact”, such as cricket, basketball, netball, touch football, skating and soccer.

The ADA urges all players of the above (and other similar) sports, to consider a mouthguard a mandatory part of their sporting equipment, no matter their age or experience³.

Why wear a mouthguard?

Wearing a protective mouth guard prevents, or minimises the severity of, dental injuries caused during sport.

The ADA has outlined five main benefits of wearing a mouthguard during playing and training⁴:

• Cushion the teeth against impact
• Protect against jaw joint injuries
• Protect against soft tissue injuries
• Help prevent neck and jaw injuries
• May help reduce concussion

Damage to your teeth

Dental trauma from a sporting injury can include:

• Damage to the nerve of a tooth
• Fractured, chipped, cracked, dislodged, or knocked-out teeth
• A fractured or broken jaw
• Damage or cuts to the soft tissues inside your mouth
• Damage or cuts to the tongue and lips

Often a single case of severe dental trauma can lead to a lifetime of dental treatment (and expenses) in order to maintain the strength and health of the damaged tooth/teeth⁵.

The difference between custom-made and ‘over-the-counter’ mouthguards

A custom made-and-fitted mouthguard from your dentist is created from an impression and plaster model of your own unique dentition. It’s specially designed to fit the exact contours of your mouth for protection and comfort, and to balance your bite correctly. Due to their precise fit, custom-fitted mouthguards let you talk normally, don’t restrict your breathing, stay firmly in place, and overall are a lot more comfortable to wear than an ‘over-the-counter’ mouthguard. They are also resilient and durable, and you can customise them with your own choice of design and colours.

The ADA recommends that only a professionally custom made-and-fitted mouth guard should be worn. They are the far superior choice as they provide the best protection, fit and comfort for all levels of sport. Only dental professionals can design and manufacture a custom made mouthguard that provides adequate protection.

In contrast, an ‘over-the-counter’, or ‘boil and bite’ mouthguard as they are sometimes called, can be purchased from a pharmacy or sporting store. They include stock mouthguards that do not require fitting, and mouthguards that can be placed in hot water and then self-fitted by biting into them.

The ADA warns that these ‘over-the-counter’ mouthguards are inadequate and ineffective. They do not recommend them, and state that they should not be used. This is because they are a universal size designed to fit all, which does not adapt to your unique teeth and gums properly and can therefore still cause damage to teeth on impact. They offer less protection, are often ill-fitting or loose in the mouth, can impede breathing and speaking, and can dislodge during play or impact – they can even wedge in the back of the throat during impact and become life threatening⁶. They are also usually bulky and uncomfortable to wear, detracting from the sporting experience.

How does a custom-fitted mouthguard work?

During direct impact to the face or head (such as accidental collision or contact during sport), the force can travel through your jaw, teeth and even the upper part of your skull. Impacts to the lower jaw can also cause the jaws to slam together and damage both rows of teeth.

A custom-fitted mouthguard works by absorbing and spreading the impact of a damaging blow to the face or head. This lessens the force applied to your teeth, jaws and skull. The rubbery material also acts as a buffer between your upper and lower teeth.

Your mouth guard should be checked every 12 months for optimal fit and protection.

Custom-fitted mouthguards at VC Dental

At VC Dental our mouthguards are professionally made from Australian materials, and we have a range of colours and designs available for you to choose from.

Preventing injury

Many sports involve a contact risk, and therefore serious dental injury. These types of injuries are often difficult to treat, and can involve a lifetime of expenses.

Prevention is always better than cure, so play it safe and wear a custom-fitted mouthguard. The cost of a custom-fitted mouthguard is good insurance against the possible costs of a serious dental sporting injury.

What colours and designs can I choose from?

Choose your colour or colour combination

Choose your design

Can’t decide? Here are some colourful examples