Why wear a mouthguard for sport?
A sports mouthguard is worn during training and games to help protect the teeth and mouth from knocks that can crack, fracture or knock out teeth, cut the lips or tongue, or injure the jaws. The Australian Dental Association (ADA) explains that sports mouthguards protect teeth and jaws from serious injuries, and that they should be worn at both training and games (teeth.org.au).
It is not only rugby, AFL, hockey and boxing that carry risk. The ADA also lists cricket, basketball, netball, touch football, skateboarding and soccer among sports that can damage the teeth and mouth (teeth.org.au). Mouthguards work by absorbing and spreading the force of a blow to the face that might otherwise injure the mouth or jaws.
A mouthguard does not make sport injury-free, and results vary between people and situations. It is one practical step parents and players near Concord, Mortlake and nearby suburbs often take alongside club rules and coaching advice. The ADA and Sports Medicine Australia encourage clubs to adopt a “no mouthguard, no play” approach (teeth.org.au).
What is a boil-and-bite mouthguard?
A boil-and-bite mouthguard is a store-bought plastic guard that you soften in warm water, then bite into so it roughly follows the shape of your teeth. Chemists and sports stores also sell stock mouthguards that are generic plastic shapes and are not moulded to your teeth at all (teeth.org.au).
The ADA notes that this do-it-yourself moulding can leave some parts of the mouthguard thinner than others, which can affect how well it protects the teeth. Store-bought guards often fit poorly and can sit loose in the mouth, which can make talking and breathing difficult (teeth.org.au).
Boil-and-bite options are widely available without a dental visit. They are a different product from a dentist-made guard, not a like-for-like substitute in fit or protection level according to the ADA.
What is a custom-made mouthguard from a dentist?
A custom-made sports mouthguard is shaped from a mould or 3D scan of your own teeth so it fits firmly around your teeth and gums. The ADA states that a mouthguard custom made by a dentist will provide the most protection for the teeth and mouth (teeth.org.au).
At the dental visit, your dentist checks the teeth and gums, then takes a mould or scan. That record is used to manufacture a guard designed for your mouth only. The ADA advises having a check-up first so any other dental treatment needed can be planned before the mouthguard is made (teeth.org.au).
Custom mouthguards sit within everyday general dentistry at AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake, and are also discussed in children’s dentistry when young players need protection for sport. Care of the finished guard matters: wash it in cool or warm water, store it dry in a protective case away from direct sunlight, and write the wearer’s name on the guard and the case (teeth.org.au).
Custom vs boil-and-bite — how do they compare?
Custom-made and boil-and-bite mouthguards differ in how they are made, how they fit, and the level of protection the ADA attributes to each. The table below summarises points drawn from ADA public advice (teeth.org.au).
| Point | Boil-and-bite (store-bought) | Custom-made (dentist) |
|---|---|---|
| How it is made | Softened in warm water and moulded at home | Made from a mould or 3D scan taken by a dentist |
| Fit | Often poor or loose; thickness can be uneven | Shaped to your teeth and gums |
| Protection (ADA) | Not the same level as custom-made | ADA: most protection for teeth and mouth |
| Speaking and breathing | Can be difficult when fit is poor | Designed to fit firmly around the teeth |
| Dental check first | Not required to buy | ADA recommends a check-up before manufacture |
| Typical path | Chemist or sports store | Two dental visits (record, then fit) |
“Most protection” here is the ADA’s wording, not a promise from AMK Dental Clinic. No mouthguard removes all risk of dental or facial injury. Your dentist can discuss which option suits the sport, the player’s age and how often the guard will be worn.
How do I get a custom mouthguard at AMK?
To get a custom sports mouthguard at AMK Dental Clinic, book a visit so the dentist can examine the mouth, discuss your sport, and take a mould or 3D scan if a custom guard is appropriate. A second visit is usually needed to fit and check the finished mouthguard.
If treatment is recommended, you receive an itemised written estimate before anything goes ahead. Your dentist will discuss the options, benefits, risks and costs with you so you can decide what suits you. Growing children may need the fit reviewed as teeth change; the ADA notes that a well cared-for mouthguard can last multiple sporting seasons when the wearer is no longer growing (teeth.org.au).
AMK Dental Clinic is at Shop 3, 46 Tennyson Road, Mortlake NSW 2137, near Concord, Breakfast Point, Cabarita, Rhodes and North Strathfield. Call (02) 9739 6525 or contact us to book. For family and junior sport questions, see also children’s dentistry and general dentistry.
This page is general information only. It is not a personal diagnosis or treatment plan. Your dentist will discuss what is suitable for you.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for advice about your own situation. Please speak with a dentist about your needs.
Common questions
Do children need a custom mouthguard for sport?
Children who play sports with a risk of a knock to the face are often advised to wear a mouthguard at training and on game day. The Australian Dental Association states that a custom-made mouthguard from a dentist will provide the most protection for the teeth and mouth. Growing children may need the fit checked or remade as teeth change. Ask at AMK Dental Clinic in Mortlake which option suits your child's sport.
Is a boil-and-bite mouthguard enough for contact sport?
A boil-and-bite mouthguard is a store-bought option moulded at home in warm water. The Australian Dental Association notes that store-bought mouthguards do not provide the same level of protection as a custom-made mouthguard, and DIY moulding can leave some areas thinner than others. For contact sports and other sports with facial-impact risk, many families choose a dentist-made guard after a check-up.
How many visits does a custom mouthguard take at AMK?
A custom sports mouthguard at AMK Dental Clinic is usually made over two visits: one to take a mould or 3D scan of the teeth, and a second to fit and check the finished guard. Your dentist may recommend a check-up first so any other dental care can be planned before the mouthguard is made. You receive an itemised written estimate before treatment goes ahead.
