While sport is a wonderful part of growing up, it comes with real risks for little teeth. Dental injuries are among the most common sporting injuries in kids, and many may be reduced with appropriate protective equipment. A mouthguard, worn during both training and games, acts as a cushion between your child’s teeth, jaw, and whatever they happen to collide with.
When Should Kids Wear One?
The short answer is: whenever there’s a chance of contact. The Australian Dental Association recommends mouthguards for any sport where there’s a risk of impact to the face. That includes AFL, rugby league, rugby union, hockey, and boxing, as well as sports where collisions can happen unexpectedly, such as soccer, netball, basketball, cricket, martial arts, water polo, and skateboarding.
Custom vs Store-Bought
There’s a big difference between a mouthguard from a sports store and one made specifically for your child’s mouth. Store-bought guards are designed to fit a wide range of mouths, which means they may not always sit securely. They can feel bulky, shift during play, and make it harder to breathe and speak clearly. Kids who find them uncomfortable are less likely to wear them consistently.
A custom mouthguard, made at The Tooth Affair, is shaped to your child’s teeth for a more secure and comfortable fit. It sits more firmly in place and may support easier breathing and speaking during sport. For a child whose adult teeth are still developing, fit and comfort can be especially important.
A Small Step Before the Season Starts
Replacing a damaged or knocked-out permanent tooth can be complex and costly. A custom mouthguard is straightforward to organise and designed for regular sporting use throughout the season. We recommend having the fit checked each year as your child grows, and any time their teeth change significantly.
“A mouthguard is simple, but it can play an important role in protecting developing teeth during sport. I encourage parents to have one made before the season starts,” emphasises Albury dentist Dr Ruchi Chandra.
If your child plays sport, our team at The Tooth Affair can help arrange a custom mouthguard that’s designed to fit comfortably and securely.