Kids Sports Mouthguards 101

Which Protects Better: The Real Difference

Winter sport season is almost here, and across the Inner West, kids are lacing up boots, pulling on jerseys, and heading back to training.

If your child plays rugby, AFL, hockey, netball, basketball, soccer, or any contact sport, there’s one piece of equipment that matters just as much as their boots or their water bottle: a properly fitted kids sports mouthguard.

Here’s what every parent needs to know.

Dental injuries are the most common type of facial injury in children’s sport. We’re talking about:

• Knocked-out teeth
• Cracked or fractured teeth
• Split lips
• Broken jaws
• Soft tissue damage to cheeks, tongue, and gums

A knocked-out adult tooth can often be saved if you act fast (more on this in our Emergency Care article on page 22). But sometimes it can’t. And even when we can save the tooth, the child often faces years of follow-up treatment, potential root canals, crowns, and a lifetime of managing a compromised tooth.

The worst part? Most of these injuries are completely preventable.

A good kids sports mouthguard absorbs impact, distributes force, and protects teeth, jaws, and soft tissue. Study after study shows that athletes who wear mouthguards are 60 times less likely to suffer dental injury than those who don’t.

CUSTOM VS. STORE-BOUGHT: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Walk into any sports store and you’ll see kids sports mouthguards on the shelf for ten or fifteen dollars. They come in bright colors. They’re cheap. They’re easy.

They’re also almost useless.

Here’s why.

STORE-BOUGHT KIDS SPORTS MOUTHGUARDS (BOIL-AND-BITE)

These are the ones you heat in boiling water, then bite down on to create an impression. In theory, they mold to your child’s teeth.

In reality:

• The fit is poor. The material is too thick in some places, too thin in others. It doesn’t accurately follow the contours of their teeth or gums.

• They’re uncomfortable. Kids constantly adjust them with their tongue, which affects breathing, speech, and performance.

• They fall out easily. A proper mouthguard should stay in place without your child having to clench their jaw. Store-bought guards often don’t.

• The protection is inadequate. Because the fit is poor, impact isn’t absorbed or distributed properly. They’re better than nothing, but not by much.

We see kids every season who’ve had their teeth knocked out while wearing a store-bought mouthguard. The guard was in their mouth, but it didn’t do its job.

CUSTOM KIDS SPORTS MOUTHGUARDS (PROFESSIONALLY FITTED)

Custom mouthguards are made specifically for your child by a dentist.

Here’s the process:

1. We take an impression of your child’s teeth (quick, painless, takes about five minutes)

2. The impression is sent to a dental laboratory

3. The lab creates a mouthguard precisely molded to your child’s unique mouth shape

4. Your child returns for a fitting to ensure comfort and protection

The result:

• Perfect fit. It follows every contour of their teeth and gums.

• Comfortable. Kids forget they’re wearing it.

• Stays in place. No constant adjusting, no falling out.

• Maximum protection. The material is the right thickness in the right places to absorb and distribute impact effectively.

• Doesn’t interfere with breathing or speaking. Your child can perform at their best.

THE COST QUESTION

Yes, custom mouthguards cost more upfront — usually between $150-$200.

But consider:

• A single emergency dental visit costs far more

• Replacing a knocked-out tooth with an implant costs thousands

• Store-bought guards need replacing more frequently (they warp, wear out, get lost)

• Custom guards last longer and provide exponentially better protection

We’ve had parents tell us, “I can’t afford a custom mouthguard.” We understand. Money is tight for many families. But we’ve also had those same parents in our chair six months later, facing a dental bill ten times higher because their child’s tooth was knocked out during sport.

Prevention is always, always cheaper than treatment.

WHICH SPORTS NEED MOUTHGUARDS?

High-contact sports (mouthguard essential):

• Rugby (league and union)

• AFL

• Hockey (field and ice)

• Lacrosse

• Martial arts (karate, taekwondo, boxing, MMA)

• Water polo

Moderate-contact sports (mouthguard strongly recommended):

• Netball

• Basketball

• Soccer

• Baseball/softball

Lower-contact sports (mouthguard recommended for high-level play):

• Cricket (particularly for batsmen and wicket keepers)

• Skateboarding

• BMX

• Gymnastics

The rule we give parents: If there’s any chance of contact — with another player, with equipment, or with the ground — your child should be wearing a mouthguard.

WHAT ABOUT KIDS WITH BRACES?

This is a question we get constantly.

Yes, kids with braces absolutely need mouthguards — perhaps even more than kids without braces.

Here’s why: if your child takes a hit to the mouth while wearing braces, the brackets and wires can lacerate their lips, cheeks, and tongue. The damage can be severe.

We create custom mouthguards specifically designed to fit over braces. They’re slightly thicker to accommodate the brackets, but they’re still comfortable and highly protective.

As the braces shift teeth over the course of treatment, the mouthguard may need adjusting or replacing. We’ll monitor this at regular appointments.

CARING FOR YOUR CHILD’S MOUTHGUARD

A mouthguard is only effective if it’s in good condition. Here’s how to maintain it:

After Every Use:

• Rinse immediately with cold water

• Brush gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste (or mild soap)

• Rinse again thoroughly

• Air dry completely before storing

Storage:

• Keep in a ventilated case (the ones with small holes)

• Never leave in direct sunlight or hot cars (heat warps the material)

• Don’t leave it loose in a sports bag where it can get crushed

Regular Checks:

• Inspect for tears, holes, or thinning material

• Check the fit — does it still sit comfortably and securely?

• Bring it to dental appointments so we can assess condition

When to Replace:

• If it’s damaged or worn

• If it no longer fits properly (growth can change mouth shape)

• Every 12-18 months for growing children

• After any significant dental work (fillings, extractions, braces adjustments)

What NOT to Do:

• Don’t chew on it (surprisingly common)

• Don’t share it with siblings or teammates (hygiene risk)

• Don’t leave it lying around where pets can get to it (dogs love chewing mouthguards)

GETTING KIDS TO ACTUALLY WEAR THEM

We can make the best mouthguard in the world, but if your child won’t wear it, it’s useless.

Here’s what works:

Make it non-negotiable from day one. Mouthguard goes in before they step on the field. No mouthguard, no play. Don’t negotiate. Don’t make exceptions. Consistency is everything.

Let them choose the colour. Most kids are far more motivated to wear a mouthguard they picked themselves. We offer a huge range of colours and designs — team colours, favorite colours, glow-in-the-dark, multicolour. Choice creates ownership.

Get the coach on board. Ask the coach to check mouthguards before every game. Peer accountability is powerful.

Emphasise performance, not just safety. Tell them: “A properly fitted mouthguard helps you breathe better, communicate better, and play better.” It’s not just about protection — it’s about performance.

Lead by example. If you play sport, wear a mouthguard yourself.

THE “MY CHILD HATES IT” PROBLEM

Some kids genuinely struggle with mouthguards, especially at first.

Common complaints:

“It makes me gag.” This usually means the guard is too long at the back. Bring them back in — we can trim it.

“I can’t breathe.” Store-bought guards often block airways. A properly fitted custom guard shouldn’t interfere with breathing at all. If it does, something’s wrong.

“I can’t talk.” Some adjustment period is normal, but they should be able to communicate with teammates. If speech is severely affected, the fit needs checking.

“It tastes weird.” New mouthguards can have a slight plastic taste. This fades after a few uses. Thorough cleaning helps.

“It feels too big.” Custom guards are designed to be as low-profile as possible. If it genuinely feels bulky, we may need to adjust the fit.

Don’t accept “I hate it” as a reason not to wear it. Work with us to solve the specific problem. Your child’s teeth are worth the effort.

This article was first published in My Kids Dentist Magazine. To read the full FREE publications, click here.