A mouthguard is an essential piece of protective gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age. 



A mouthguard is an essential piece of protective gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age. 

While collision and contact sports, such as AFL and boxing, are high-risk sports for the mouth, any sportsperson may experience a dental injury in non-contact activities too. 

The best mouthguard is one that is custom fitted for your mouth. Where not possible, you should still wear a stock mouthguard from the chemist to protect your teeth. 

A custom fitted mouthguard can also be made for children/teenagers who wear braces. These have extra room inside the mouthguard to still allow teeth to move during orthodontic treatment. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed appliances. A mouthguard provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek and lips, which will help you avoid injuries to the gums and cheeks. 

A mouthguard should be replaced immediately if it shows signs of wear, is damaged or fit loosely. 

Mouthguard care:

-keep the mouthguard clean and dry between games.  

-Rinse before and after each use or brush with a toothbrush. Do not leave mouthguard in the sun or in hot water.

-Store the mouthguard in a rigid container that has vents so it can dry and prevent bacteria from growing.

-Prevent family pets from having access to the mouthguard as they will use it as a chew toy.