Teeth are the strongest part of the body, but they’re still vulnerable to damage from accidental injuries and long-term wear. A custom mouthguard can be an invaluable preventive measure that could help you or your child avoid the pain, expense and lifelong effects of serious dental injuries.
It’s strongly recommended that kids, teens and adults wear a custom mouthguard when playing sports that involve a risk of injury to the mouth and jaw. Dentists may also recommend mouthguards for other reasons, like preventing teeth from wearing down or cracking under the pressure of teeth grinding.
If you or your child need a mouthguard for any reason, talk to our dentists in Mitchelton and Everton Park to arrange a custom fitting and lower your risks.
Sports mouthguards for kids, teens and adults
Sporting injuries are one of the most common causes of dental emergencies in Australia, from chipped and cracked teeth needing repair to teeth getting knocked out completely. Many schools and sport clubs in Australia now enforce a mandatory mouthguard policy for contact sports and other activities that involve physical contact and possible dental injuries.
As well as the obvious contact sports like rugby, soccer, hockey and boxing, mouthguards are also recommended for other pastimes that involve a risk of falls, such as skateboarding and mountain biking. If there’s a risk of injuring your teeth, a mouthguard can make a big difference.
Dental splints for teeth grinding
Another reason you or your child might need to wear a mouthguard is if you grind or clench your teeth during sleep. These habits can increase tooth wear or put pressure on the teeth and jaw joints, leading to problems like cracked teeth and TMJ disorder.
These custom mouthguards – known as a dental splint, occlusal splint or night guard – fit comfortably over your teeth to prevent them from coming into contact and relieve pressure. A dental splint may also be recommended to protect veneers.
Do I need a custom mouthguard?
While sports mouthguards are readily available in many stores, these only offer limited protection compared to a custom-made mouthguard that’s designed to fit perfectly over your teeth. Even the ‘boil-and-bite’ variety of store-bought mouthguards can be poorly-fitting and uncomfortable, and their thinner material is less effective at absorbing impacts than the more robust material of a dental mouthguard.
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) and sporting organisations recommend custom mouthguards as they offer more protection and don’t impact on performance, breathing or comfort. Unlike stock mouthguards, custom mouthguards can also be designed to fit around braces and individual orthodontic issues.
Book a mouthguard fitting in Brisbane
If you want to ensure the best possible protection for your teeth or your child’s teeth, get in touch with our friendly team at Swish Dental to arrange a mouthguard fitting at one of our local clinics in Everton Park or Mitchelton. Our dentist can take impressions of your bite to design a perfectly-fitting mouthguard in the colours of your choice.
Call our team in Everton Park on (07) 3355 1422 or our Mitchelton clinic on (07) 3354 3341. You can also book an appointment online.