Mouthguards

Who needs a mouthguard?

Anyone who participates in a sport that carries a significant risk of injury should wear a mouthguard. The sorts of sports where a mouthguard should be worn include

• football (all codes)
• hockey (field, ice and inline)
• basketball
• netball
• baseball
• softball
• T-ball
• marshal arts (karate, judo, taekwondo, etc.)
• ice skating
• roller blading
• gymnastics.

Mouthguard wearing is not the exclusive domain of contact sports. Any activity that may result in falls is cause to wear a mouthguard.

What protection do they offer?

Mouthguards fit over all the upper jaw teeth. They cushion a blow to the face or jaws significantly reducing the risk of broken teeth, fractures of the jaw bones, concussion and soft-tissue injuries.

A properly fitted mouth protector will stay in place while you are wearing it, making it easy for you to talk and breathe.

Types of mouthguards

There are three types of mouthguards:

1. Stock
   Stock mouthguards (the ready to wear type usually sold in sporting goods stores and pharmacies) are the cheapest form and offer virtually no protection. They don’t fit very well, are bulky and can make breathing and talking difficult.
   
   
2. Boil and bite
   Boil and bite mouthguards also can be bought at many sporting goods stores and pharmacies. They do fit a bit better that stock mouthguards and may offer a slightly better degree of protection. They are softened in hot water, inserted in the mouth and bitten into,.
   
   
3. Custom-fitted
   Custom-fitted mouth guards are made by dentists. They are made on casts made from impressions of your teeth. They are more expensive than the other versions, but because they are customized they can offer a better fit than anything you can buy in a store. There are a variety of custom-fitted mouthguards available, designed specifically for each particular sport or activity.
   
   
   Custom mouthguards are available in a range of colours including most Australian team colours.