Children's dentistry
Does my child need a mouthguard for sport?
For contact sport — rugby, hockey, netball, martial arts — yes. A mouthguard cushions a blow and can save a tooth. A custom-made one fits snugly and comfortably, so it actually gets worn.
When a mouthguard earns its place
Anywhere there's contact or a flying elbow, ball or stick — rugby, hockey, netball, basketball, martial arts — a mouthguard is well worth it. A single knock to the face can chip, loosen or knock out a tooth, or hurt the jaw and lip, and a guard sits there absorbing and spreading that force so a nasty blow ends up a fright rather than a lasting injury.
A knocked-out adult tooth is a genuine emergency and doesn't always come back, however quickly you act. Set against that, a mouthguard is one of the simplest, cheapest bits of insurance in your child's kit bag.
Shop-bought or custom-made?
The boil-and-bite guards from the pharmacy are a fair starting point — better than nothing while your child finds their feet in a sport. The catch is fit: a bulky guard that doesn't sit right is uncomfortable, makes talking and breathing awkward, and quietly ends up in the bottom of the bag.
A guard we make for your child is moulded to their exact teeth, so it's slim, snug and comfortable — which means it actually gets worn, match after match. For a growing mouth we'll keep an eye on the fit and remake it as the adult teeth come through. Pop in and we'll take an impression whenever they're ready.
Common questions
Is a boil-and-bite guard good enough?
It offers real protection and is a reasonable start. A custom guard fits far better, so it's more comfortable and more likely to be worn — which is what ultimately protects the teeth.
My child wears braces — can they still use a mouthguard?
Yes, and it matters even more, since a knock can drive braces into the lips and cheeks. Let us know about the braces so we fit a guard that works with them and remake it as things change.