Mouthguards
Protect your smile during sports
Custom-made mouthguards offer the optimal defence you need to prevent dental injuries such as cuts, fractures, and tooth loss.
Mouthguards
Protect your smile during sports
Custom-made mouthguards offer the optimal defence you need to prevent dental injuries such as cuts, fractures, and tooth loss.
Protect your smile with custom-fitted mouthguards
Maintaining your oral health during sports and physical activities is equally important to you as it is to the team cheering you on at Complete Smile Dental. Injuries to the teeth can be painful, expensive, and sometimes require long-term treatment. We offer custom-made mouthguards to provide maximum protection for your teeth, lips, and jaw. With our quality mouthguards, you can confidently participate in your favourite sports knowing that your teeth are protected.
Dental injuries and sports
Athletes of all ages and skill levels are at risk for dental injuries resulting from athletic participation. These injuries can have serious repercussions, including pain, damage, and long-term expenses that extend beyond the incident itself.
Sports-related dental injuries
- Cuts to the lips, gums, cheeks, or tongue
- Chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth
- Fractured jaw (severe cases)
These injuries can be extremely painful and require extensive treatment and recovery time. Moreover, the long-term physical and financial costs associated with dental injuries can have a major effect on an individual’s quality of life.
Risk factors for dental injury
Failure to wear a mouthguard substantially increases the likelihood of dental injuries. Certain people are more susceptible to dental injuries, specifically those with the following risk factors:
Protruding front teeth: Teeth that protrude forward are more susceptible to direct impact and have a greater risk of injury during sports and recreational activities.
Orthodontic treatment: Having orthodontics such as traditional braces can increase the likelihood of dental injuries, necessitating the use of custom-fitted mouthguards for optimal protection.
Inadequate lip coverage: Insufficient lip coverage exposes the front teeth, making them more susceptible to injury during a collision or blow.
Participation in high-risk activities: Participating in sports or recreational activities with a greater risk of collisions or accidents increases the likelihood of dental injuries. These activities necessitate additional safety measures, making the use of mouthguards crucial for injury prevention.
Benefits of custom-fitted mouthguards
Custom-fitted mouthguards provide unparalleled protection and comfort when it comes to protecting your smile during sports activities. Here’s why custom-fitted mouthguards are the most effective option:
Superior protection: Custom-fitted mouthguards provide the highest level of protection for the teeth, lips, and jaw. These mouthguards are meticulously designed to provide a snug fit and comprehensive coverage, ensuring optimal performance in absorbing and distributing impact forces.
Shock absorption: Custom-fitted mouthguards are made from shock- and vibration-absorbing materials. This means that an impact during sports is effectively absorbed and dispersed, reducing the risk of dental trauma.
Perfect fit and comfort: These mouthguards are custom-made to match the contours of your mouth, providing superior comfort and enabling natural speech and effortless breathing. With custom-fitted mouthguards, you can concentrate solely on your performance.
Effective prevention of dental injuries: Custom mouthguards are intended to prevent dental injuries. Their snug fit and impact-absorbing properties defend against cuts to the lips, gums, cheeks, and tongue, as well as chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth. By choosing a custom-fitted mouthguard, you can confidently participate in sports, knowing your smile is well protected.
Store-bought mouthguards
When it comes to mouthguards, other options can be purchased from pharmacies or sports stores, including stock and boil-and-bite mouthguards. While they may seem convenient, it’s crucial to fully understand their limitations compared to custom-made mouthguards.
Stock mouthguards: Stock mouthguards are ready-to-wear, generic mouthguards. They are mass-produced and are typically available in small, medium, and large sizes. Stock mouthguards are not custom-fitted to the teeth and gums of the wearer, so they do not conform to the mouth’s unique contours. Consequently, they may provide an insufficient fit and limited protection.
Boil-and-bite mouthguards: These mouthguards are made of a generic plastic material that softens in warm water. Once softened, the mouthguard is placed in the mouth and moulded to the individual’s teeth by biting down on it. This procedure allows a little customisation, but it is a do-it-yourself method that could result in uneven thickness and a poor fit. Thin areas could compromise the mouthguard’s protective capabilities.
Store-bought mouthguards, whether stock or boil-and-bite, have inherent limitations compared to custom-made mouthguards. They often fit poorly, may remain loose in the mouth, and lack the precise contours needed to ensure maximum protection. Ill-fitting mouthguards can interfere with speaking and breathing, affecting overall comfort during sports activities.
ADA recommends wearing custom-fitted mouthguards
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) strongly advocates for the use of mouthguards as an essential protective measure during sports and other physical activities. In light of the frequency and potential severity of dental injuries, the ADA emphasises the significance of wearing mouthguards to protect oral health.
The ADA recommends custom-fitted mouthguards for optimal protection and comfort. Dental professionals create custom-fitted mouthguards to precisely match your particular dental anatomy. They provide the highest level of protection against dental injuries by offering superior fit, comfort, and shock-absorption properties.
‘No mouthguard, no play’ policy
To further promote the use of mouthguards and protect athletes, the ADA, in collaboration with Sports Medicine Australia, has developed the ‘No Mouthguard, No Play’ policy. This policy encourages sports clubs to implement mandatory mouthguard use for their players, highlighting the significance of this preventative measure.
Caring for your mouthguard
To ensure the durability and efficiency of your custom-fitted mouthguard, it is crucial that you comply with the care instructions. Here is how to properly maintain your mouthguard:
- Rinse: Rinse your mouthguard with soap and warm (not hot) water after each use to remove debris and bacteria.
- Dry: Before storing your mouthguard, let it air-dry entirely. Towels and cloths should be avoided because they can harbour bacteria.
- Storage: When not in use, keep your mouthguard in a well-ventilated plastic case. Ensure the case has multiple openings for air circulation and to prevent moisture buildup.
- Avoid exposure: Keep your mouthguard out of direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure can cause damage to the material. Additionally, avoid leaving the mouthguard in a confined vehicle or glovebox, as extreme heat can distort its shape.
Safe sport, healthy mouth
Are you ready to take the next step towards protecting your smile during sports and physical activities? Book an appointment with Complete Smile Dental to get a custom-made mouthguard. Our skilled dental team will work closely with you to ensure optimal fit, comfort, and protection.
To book your consultation, contact us at (07) 3300 3388.
When it comes to your oral health, nothing compares to the peace of mind that a custom-fitted mouthguard from Complete Smile Dental can provide. Let our team play your defence so you can flash your winning smile game after game.
