If your child plays a contact or ball sport, a properly fitted mouthguard is the single most effective way to protect their teeth, lips and jaw — and a custom-made one from the dentist protects far better than a boil-and-bite from the chemist. Sports season is also a good prompt for a quick dental check, so any loose baby teeth, decay or orthodontic issues are known before a knock happens. A little preparation now prevents a lot of pain, cost and panic later.
Here’s what parents need to know about mouthguards, on-field dental injuries, and timing the check-up.
Why a custom mouthguard beats a chemist one
Over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards are better than nothing, but they fit loosely, can be bulky and hard to breathe and talk through, and tend to be spat out or left in the bag. A custom mouthguard is made from a precise mould of your child’s teeth, so it fits snugly, stays put, allows easier breathing and speech, and cushions impact more effectively across the teeth and jaw. Because it’s comfortable, kids actually wear it — which is the whole point.
Which sports need one
Mouthguards are recommended for any sport with a risk of contact or a flying ball, stick or elbow: rugby league and union, AFL, soccer, basketball, hockey, netball, martial arts, skateboarding and BMX, among others. Even in “non-contact” sports, accidental clashes are common. If your child trains and plays, they should wear the guard for both — many injuries happen at training, not just on game day.
Fitting growing mouths
Children’s mouths change quickly as baby teeth are lost and adult teeth and jaws develop, so a custom guard may need remaking each season or even within a season for younger players. We check the fit and adjust or remake as needed. For kids in braces, a specific orthodontic mouthguard protects both the teeth and the lips from the brackets — a standard guard won’t fit properly over braces.
If a tooth is knocked out
A knocked-out adult tooth is a true dental emergency, and what you do in the first minutes matters enormously. Find the tooth, hold it by the crown (the white part) not the root, and if it’s dirty rinse it briefly in milk or saline — never scrub it. If you can, gently reinsert it into the socket and have your child bite on a clean cloth to hold it. If you can’t, keep it in milk (or in the cheek for an older child) and get to a dentist immediately — within 30 to 60 minutes gives the best chance of saving it.
Other common sports injuries
- Chipped or fractured teeth – save any fragments in milk and book urgently
- A tooth pushed out of position – see a dentist promptly
- Cut lips, gums or tongue – apply pressure with a clean cloth; deep cuts may need review
- Baby tooth knocked out – do not reinsert it, but see a dentist to check the area
- Jaw pain or a change in the bite after a knock – get it assessed
Timing the pre-season check-up
A check-up before the season starts means we can spot and treat decay, assess any wobbly baby teeth, fit or refit the mouthguard, and flag any orthodontic considerations. It’s far better to handle these calmly in advance than to discover a problem after an injury. The school-term breaks and the lead-in to a new season are ideal windows to get it sorted.
Book a mouthguard fitting
Get your child’s custom mouthguard fitted before the season’s busiest weeks, and we’ll check their teeth at the same time. We see active kids from Winmalee, Springwood, Blaxland and across the Blue Mountains — book a fitting and start the season protected.
Does my child really need a custom mouthguard?
For any contact or ball sport, yes — it’s the most effective protection for teeth, lips and jaw. A custom guard fits better, stays in, and is more comfortable than a boil-and-bite, so kids actually wear it.
What should I do if my child's tooth is knocked out?
For an adult tooth, hold it by the crown, rinse briefly in milk if dirty, and gently reinsert it into the socket if you can. If not, keep it in milk and see a dentist immediately — ideally within 30 to 60 minutes. Don’t reinsert a baby tooth.
Can kids wear a mouthguard with braces?
Yes, but they need a specific orthodontic mouthguard designed to fit over braces and protect the lips from the brackets. A standard custom guard won’t fit correctly once braces are on.
How often should a child's mouthguard be replaced?
Often each season, and sometimes within a season for younger children, because their mouths change quickly as teeth and jaws develop. We check the fit and remake it when needed.
Should my child wear a mouthguard at training too?
Yes. Many dental injuries happen at training, not just during games. The guard should be worn whenever there’s a risk of contact or a flying ball.
When should I book the pre-season check-up?
Before the season starts, so we can treat any decay, check loose baby teeth, fit the mouthguard and flag orthodontic issues calmly in advance rather than after an injury.
Is a chipped tooth from sport an emergency?
It should be seen promptly. Save any fragments in milk, manage any bleeding with pressure, and book an urgent appointment — early treatment improves the outcome for the tooth.
