Mouthguards and Sports Dentistry: Protecting Young Athletes' Smiles
sportsdentistry
Why custom-fit mouthguards outperform boil-and-bite versions, and how families in South Surrey can protect kids in hockey, soccer, and lacrosse.
Sports-related dental injuries are one of the most common — and most preventable — problems we see in kids and teens. A well-fitted mouthguard is a small piece of gear that can save a front tooth, a jaw, or a very expensive future restoration.
The three types of mouthguards, honestly compared
Stock mouthguards are pre-formed and sold ready to wear. They're inexpensive but bulky, hard to breathe through, and often loose. Kids tend to chew them or leave them in the gym bag.
Boil-and-bite mouthguards soften in hot water and are shaped in the mouth. They fit better than stock guards but wear down quickly, thin out in the areas that matter most, and can distort with repeated use.
Custom-fit mouthguards are made from a mould of your child's teeth. They're precisely contoured, comfortable enough to talk in, and hold their thickness where impact is most likely. For contact sports, they're the gear we recommend.
What custom fit actually protects against
A properly fitted mouthguard helps prevent:
- Chipped, cracked, and knocked-out (avulsed) teeth
- Cuts to the lips, cheeks, and tongue
- Jaw fractures and some concussive forces transmitted through the jaw
- Damage to braces and orthodontic wires
How a custom mouthguard is made
We take a quick digital scan or impression of your child's teeth, then fabricate the guard in a chosen colour or team combination. Fitting takes just a few minutes at a second short visit. Kids in growth spurts or orthodontic treatment may need a new one each season — that's normal.
Caring for it so it lasts a season
- Rinse with cool water after each use (hot water warps it)
- Store in a ventilated case, not loose in a bag
- Bring it to hygiene visits so we can check the fit
- Replace when you see bite-through marks or thinning
What to do if a tooth is knocked out
Find the tooth, hold it by the crown (not the root), gently rinse it with milk or saline if dirty, and try to reinsert it into the socket. If that's not possible, keep it in milk and call us right away — the first hour matters most.
Ready to fit your athlete? See our full list of treatments or become a new patient.