Is Your Child’s Smile Protected? Everything You Should Know About Sports Mouthguards
A split second is all it takes for a sports injury to damage a tooth.
Whether you’re playing hockey, basketball, soccer, football, martial arts, or even baseball, an accidental collision or impact can lead to chipped teeth, broken jaws, cuts to the lips, or even permanent tooth loss.
At Bronte Road Family Dental in Oakville, we recommend sports mouthguards for children, teens, and adults who participate in activities where there’s a risk of facial injury. A properly fitted mouthguard is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your smile while enjoying the sports you love.
What Is a Sports Mouthguard?
A sports mouthguard is a removable protective appliance worn over your upper teeth. It cushions impacts to your teeth, lips, cheeks, and jaw during athletic activities.
Instead of absorbing the full force of a blow, the mouthguard helps spread the impact over a larger area, reducing the chance of serious injury.
A mouthguard may help protect against:
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Knocked-out teeth
- Lip and cheek injuries
- Cuts inside the mouth
- Jaw injuries
- Damage to dental restorations, such as crowns or veneers
While no mouthguard can prevent every injury, wearing one significantly reduces the risk of dental trauma.
Why Are Sports Mouthguards Important?
Dental injuries are among the most common facial injuries in sports.
According to the American Dental Association, athletes who do not wear a mouthguard are significantly more likely to suffer dental injuries than those who do.
Unlike a broken bone, a damaged tooth cannot heal on its own. Treatment may require fillings, crowns, root canal treatment, dental implants, or even tooth replacement.
Preventing an injury is usually much easier—and less expensive—than treating one.
Do Only Contact Sports Require Mouthguards?
No.
Many people assume mouthguards are only necessary for contact sports such as hockey or football.
In reality, injuries can occur in many activities where equipment, balls, sticks, elbows, or accidental falls can strike the face.
Sports where mouthguards are strongly recommended include:
- Hockey
- Football
- Rugby
- Lacrosse
- Boxing
- Martial arts
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Softball
- Soccer
- Skateboarding
- Mountain biking
- Gymnastics
- Wrestling
Even sports considered “non-contact” can result in dental injuries.
How Do Mouthguards Protect Your Teeth?
A mouthguard acts like a shock absorber.
When an impact occurs, it helps:
- Spread the force across multiple teeth.
- Reduce stress on individual teeth.
- Cushion the lips and cheeks.
- Protect the jaw from excessive force.
- Lower the risk of broken or displaced teeth.
It can also reduce damage caused by heavy clenching during sports.
Types of Sports Mouthguards
Not all mouthguards provide the same level of protection.
1. Stock Mouthguards
These are the inexpensive “one-size-fits-all” mouthguards sold in many sporting goods stores.
Advantages:
- Lowest cost
- Easy to purchase
Disadvantages:
- Poor fit
- Bulky
- Difficult to speak or breathe comfortably
- Often require biting down to stay in place
- Lowest level of protection
2. Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards
These mouthguards are softened in hot water and then moulded at home.
Advantages:
- Better fit than stock mouthguards
- Affordable
- Widely available
Disadvantages:
- Fit varies depending on how well they are moulded
- May still feel loose
- Usually require clenching to remain in place
3. Custom-Made Mouthguards
Custom mouthguards are made from an impression or digital scan of your teeth.
Advantages:
- Comfortable fit
- Better protection
- Easy breathing and speaking
- Stay securely in place
- Durable
For most athletes, this is the best balance between comfort, protection, and performance.
4. Pressure-Laminated Mouthguards
Pressure-laminated mouthguards are also custom made but contain multiple bonded layers for additional strength.
They are commonly recommended for athletes participating in high-impact or elite-level sports.
These mouthguards provide the highest level of protection while maintaining a precise fit.
Are Custom Mouthguards Worth It?
Although custom mouthguards cost more than store-bought versions, many athletes find the investment worthwhile.
A custom mouthguard:
- Fits your teeth precisely.
- Allows normal breathing.
- Makes communication easier.
- Stays in place without constant biting.
- Provides better shock absorption.
Considering that treating a fractured or knocked-out tooth can cost significantly more than a custom mouthguard, many families view it as an important investment in preventive care.
Caring for Your Sports Mouthguard
To help your mouthguard last longer:
- Rinse it with cool water after every use.
- Clean it with a soft toothbrush.
- Store it in a ventilated protective case.
- Keep it away from heat.
- Bring it to your dental appointments so it can be checked for wear.
Children and teenagers may need replacement mouthguards as their teeth and jaws continue to develop.
How Bronte Road Family Dental Can Help
At Bronte Road Family Dental, we provide custom sports mouthguards for children, teens, and adults in Oakville.
Our custom-made mouthguards are designed to fit comfortably, allow normal breathing and speech, and provide superior protection compared with many over-the-counter alternatives.
Whether you’re playing recreational sports or competing at a high level, protecting your teeth today may help prevent serious dental injuries in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which sports require a mouthguard?
Mouthguards are strongly recommended for contact sports such as hockey, football, rugby, and boxing, as well as sports with a risk of falls or impacts, including basketball, baseball, soccer, skateboarding, and mountain biking.
Can I wear a mouthguard with braces?
Yes. Athletes with braces should wear a properly fitted mouthguard to help protect both their teeth and orthodontic appliances.
How long does a custom sports mouthguard last?
With proper care, a custom mouthguard can last for several years. Children and teenagers often require replacement sooner because their mouths are still growing.
Is a custom mouthguard better than a boil-and-bite mouthguard?
Generally, yes. A custom mouthguard offers a more precise fit, better comfort, improved speech and breathing, and greater protection against dental injuries.
Should adults wear sports mouthguards?
Absolutely. Dental injuries can happen at any age, and adults benefit from the same protection as children and teenagers.
Protect Your Smile Before the Next Game
Accidents can happen in any sport, even during practice or recreational play. Wearing a properly fitted sports mouthguard is one of the easiest ways to reduce the risk of broken teeth, jaw injuries, and other dental emergencies.
If you or your child participates in sports, the team at Bronte Road Family Dental in Oakville can help you choose the right mouthguard for your needs so you can focus on enjoying the game with confidence.
References
- American Dental Association. Mouthguards.
- Canadian Dental Association. Sports Safety and Mouthguards.
- Academy for Sports Dentistry. Position Statement on Athletic Mouthguards.
