Playing sport is one of the best things you can do — but it can also put your teeth, gums, and jaw at real risk. A single bump, fall, or clash can chip a tooth, knock one out completely, or even fracture your jaw. The good news is that a sports mouthguard can protect your smile before any of that happens.
At Eve Dental Centre, we help patients of all ages protect their smiles with professional dental care and custom-made mouthguards designed for comfort and strong protection. Whether you play AFL on the weekends, train in martial arts after work, or cheer your child on at school footy, knowing when and why to wear a mouthguard could save you from a painful — and expensive — dental injury.
This article is for athletes, parents, and anyone who loves being active. Based on reliable dental research and common questions from people involved in sports, it explains:
- Who needs to wear a sports mouthguard
- Why wearing one is so important for your dental health
What Is a Sports Mouthguard?
A sports mouthguard is a soft, flexible dental device that fits over your teeth. You wear it during sport or any physical activity where there is a chance of impact to your face. It works by creating a cushion between your upper and lower teeth, which absorbs the force from a hit and spreads it out so your teeth, gums, lips, cheeks, and jaw stay protected.
Types of Mouthguards Available
There are three main types of mouthguards available. Your dentist can help you choose the right one based on your sport and budget.
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Stock Mouthguards
These are ready-made and available from most sports shops. They come in standard sizes and are the cheapest option. The downside is that they can feel bulky, do not fit very well, and offer less protection than other types. They are fine for a short-term try-out but are not ideal for regular sport.
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Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards
You heat these in boiling water at home, then bite into them to create a rough mould of your teeth. They fit better than stock options but can still feel awkward, and they may tear or slip after a few months of use.
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Custom-Made Mouthguards from a Dentist
These are made especially for your mouth using an impression of your teeth taken by your dentist. They offer the best fit, the best comfort, and the strongest protection. They can also be made thicker in areas that need extra coverage, such as for contact sports like rugby or AFL. Most dentists strongly recommend custom-made mouthguards for anyone playing sport regularly.
Why Wearing a Sports Mouthguard Is Important
A sports mouthguard is one of the most effective pieces of protective gear you can wear. Dentists recommend them because they prevent dental injuries that can be painful, stressful, and very costly to treat.
Prevents Common Dental Injuries
A well-fitted mouthguard shields your teeth from tackles, falls, stray balls, and accidental clashes. Here are some of the most common sports-related dental injuries it helps prevent:
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Chipped Teeth:
A direct hit can crack or chip a tooth in an instant. Mouthguards spread the force of impact across your teeth so that no single tooth takes the full blow. This is especially common in footy and cycling.
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Knocked-Out Teeth:
Losing a tooth during sport is one of the most serious dental emergencies. Studies estimate that up to 5 million sports-related tooth knock-out cases occur every year worldwide. A mouthguard holds your teeth firmly in place and, if a tooth does get knocked out, makes emergency reinsertion more likely to succeed.
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Broken Jaw:
Hard impacts in sports like rugby or martial arts can fracture the jaw. Mouthguards cushion the blow and can reduce the risk of jaw fractures by up to 50 per cent.
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Soft Tissue Injuries:
Without a mouthguard, your lips, cheeks, tongue, and gums can be easily cut or bruised when they hit your teeth during impact. A mouthguard creates a barrier that protects all the soft tissues inside your mouth.
Reduces Risk of Long-Term Dental Damage
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Protects Dental Restorations:
If you already have fillings, crowns, veneers, or braces, a sports impact can crack or shift them. A custom mouthguard holds everything in place and protects the dental work you have already invested in.
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Helps Prevent Expensive Treatments Later:
Dental surgery, implants, and tooth replacement procedures can cost thousands of dollars. Choosing to wear a mouthguard now is a small investment that can save you from significant dental costs in the future.
Who Should Wear a Sports Mouthguard?
Children and Teenagers Playing School Sports
Children and teenagers are at the highest risk of dental injury during sport. Their jaws are still growing, and their permanent teeth are still coming through, which makes any knock to the mouth more serious than it would be for an adult. School sports like footy, netball, and touch rugby involve plenty of rough-and-tumble moments, and without a mouthguard, one awkward fall or collision can result in a damaged or lost permanent tooth.
Many Australian school sports leagues and clubs follow a “no mouthguard, no play” policy — and for very good reason. A custom-made mouthguard fitted by a dentist provides far better protection for growing teeth than anything bought off the shelf.
Amateur and Professional Athletes
Whether you play in a local league or compete at a professional level, your teeth face the same risks during high-impact sport. Sports like AFL, boxing, rugby, and hockey involve regular physical contact and fast-moving objects that can cause jaw fractures or knock teeth out with a single hit.
Professional athletes always wear mouthguards as part of their protective gear — and amateur athletes should do the same. The intensity of the impact does not care whether you are a weekend player or a professional. The risk is real at every level.
Adults Playing Recreational Sports
You do not have to be a professional athlete to need a mouthguard. Adults who play social cricket, soccer, basketball, or gym fitness classes are also at risk from accidental knocks, falls, and elbows to the face.
Older adults should take extra care, as tooth enamel thins with age, making teeth more vulnerable to cracking or chipping. A custom-fitted mouthguard provides comfort and confidence so you can enjoy your sport without worrying about your smile.
People Wearing Braces or Dental Appliances
If you wear braces, a retainer, or a dental crown, sport-related impacts can cause serious damage to both your appliance and your mouth. Metal brackets and wires can cut the inside of your cheeks and lips during a collision. A specially designed mouthguard cushions your gums and lips against the metal, helps prevent loose brackets, and keeps your orthodontic treatment on track. Your dentist can create a custom mouthguard that fits over your braces comfortably for all-day wear.
Benefits of Custom-Made Mouthguards from a Dentist
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Better Fit and Comfort
Custom-made mouthguards are moulded from an impression of your own teeth, so they fit perfectly from the very first wear. Unlike bulky shop-bought options that rub and slip, a custom guard hugs every tooth snugly without any sore spots. Children and adults alike find them much more comfortable to wear throughout a full game or training session.
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Improved Breathing and Speech
Because a custom mouthguard is designed specifically for your mouth, it leaves enough room for normal breathing and clear speech. You can call plays, talk to teammates, and breathe hard during high-energy sport without gagging or mumbling — something that is difficult with a standard store-bought mouthguard.
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Better Protection During Impact
Custom mouthguards are made from thicker, tougher materials that absorb and spread shock far more effectively than cheaper alternatives. Research shows they can reduce the risk of dental injury by up to 60 per cent compared to basic store-bought options. Your dentist can make them strong enough to handle the demands of professional-level contact sport while still keeping your smile completely intact.
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Longer Durability Compared to Store-Bought Mouthguards
Custom mouthguards are built from premium, double-layered materials that hold up season after season. Unlike boil-and-bite options that warp, tear, or lose their shape within a few months, a dentist-made guard stays protective and well-fitted for much longer. A single visit to your dentist for a custom fitting is a one-time investment that pays off game after game.
When Should You Replace a Sports Mouthguard?
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When It Becomes Worn or Damaged:
If you notice any tears, cracks, or thinning spots, replace it straight away. Worn edges reduce cushioning and increase the risk of chipped teeth or jaw injuries. Clean your mouthguard after every use and consider replacing it at the end of each sporting season.
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If It No Longer Fits Properly:
A guard that slips or feels too tight no longer provides proper protection. Try talking or biting gently — if it moves around or causes discomfort, it is time to get a new one fitted. Heat and sweat can warp the shape over time, so always test the fit before a game.
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Children May Need New Mouthguards as Teeth Grow:
Kids’ teeth shift and grow quickly, which means last year’s mouthguard may not fit their current smile. It is recommended to update a child’s mouthguard every six to twelve months, or after significant tooth changes such as new molars coming through. Teenagers who play school sport regularly will likely need a fresh one every year.
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Your Dentist Can Check the Fit at Every Visit:
Bring your mouthguard to your regular dental check-up. Your dentist can check that it still covers all your teeth properly, especially if you have had new fillings, braces adjustments, or other dental work done recently. Eve Dental Centre includes mouthguard checks as part of routine dental visits to help keep athletes of all ages safe.
How Eve Dental Centre Can Help Protect Your Smile
At Eve Dental Centre, protecting your smile during sport is something we take seriously. Our experienced dentists provide personalised consultations to understand your specific sport, your age, and the unique shape of your mouth — so we can recommend the mouthguard that gives you the very best protection.
We create custom-made mouthguards moulded directly from your teeth, ensuring a precise, comfortable fit for children, teenagers, and adults alike. Whether you are heading into your first school footy season or preparing for a competitive boxing match, our custom mouthguards are built to keep your teeth safe from impact.
Regular dental check-ups are a game-changer for athletes. During every visit, our team checks your mouthguard for signs of wear and verifies that the fit is still correct as your teeth grow or shift over time. Keeping your mouthguard clean and well-maintained also supports your overall oral health, helping you avoid injuries and play the sport you love for longer.
Your smile is worth protecting. Book your appointment at Eve Dental Centre today and let us help you stay safe on the field, the court, or wherever your sport takes you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do Children Need to Wear Mouthguards for Sports?
Yes, children should wear a mouthguard in any sport involving falls, contact, or balls. Their teeth and jaws are still developing, so injuries can have long-term effects. Many school sports follow a “no mouthguard, no play” rule. - Are Custom Mouthguards Better than Store-Bought Ones?
Yes, custom mouthguards made by a dentist fit better, feel more comfortable, and offer stronger protection. Store-bought options can be bulky and less effective, especially for contact sports. - Can Mouthguards Help Prevent Concussions?
Mouthguards may help reduce impact force by stabilising the jaw, but they do not prevent concussions. They are helpful for protection, but should be used along with other safety measures. - How Do I Clean and Care for a Sports Mouthguard?
Rinse your mouthguard after use, brush it gently, and store it in a ventilated case. Avoid hot water and replace it if damaged or no longer fits properly.
