Mouthguards for Sport — Why Custom-Fitted Protection Is Worth It

Dental injuries are among the most common sporting injuries in Australia. The Australian Dental Association estimates that up to half of all children and adults will experience a dental injury during their lifetime, and sport is the leading cause in people under 30.

A knocked-out tooth costs $4,000 to $6,000 to replace with an implant. A custom mouthguard costs $150 to $300. The maths is straightforward.

Which Sports Need a Mouthguard?

Essential (contact sports):

AFL, rugby (union and league), touch football
Basketball, netball
Cricket (batting and wicketkeeping)
Hockey (field and ice)
Boxing, martial arts, MMA
Wrestling

Recommended (risk of falls or impact):

Mountain biking, BMX
Skateboarding, scootering
Soccer
Gymnastics
Water polo

Often overlooked but relevant:

Surfing (board impact)
Horse riding (falls)
Rock climbing (falls)

If there is any chance of a ball, elbow, knee, fist, bat, stick, or the ground hitting your face, you need a mouthguard.

Custom-Fitted vs Boil-and-Bite

Boil-and-Bite (Chemist/Sports Store)

Cost: $10-50
How it works: Soften in hot water, bite into it to create an impression
Fit: Loose. The material is too thick in some areas and too thin in others. It does not conform precisely to your teeth.
Protection: Moderate at best. Because the fit is poor, the guard can dislodge on impact — exactly when you need it most.
Comfort: Bulky. Many athletes remove them because they make breathing and speaking difficult.
Durability: Low. Tends to lose shape within one season.

Custom-Fitted (Dentist-Made)

Cost: $150-300
How it works: We take a precise impression of your teeth and a dental laboratory creates a guard from high-quality EVA material, tailored to your exact bite.
Fit: Snug. Stays in place without clenching. You can breathe, speak, and drink water without removing it.
Protection: Superior. Even thickness distributes impact forces across the entire arch rather than concentrating on the point of contact. Significantly reduces the risk of concussion as well as dental injury.
Comfort: Slim and comfortable. Athletes are far more likely to actually wear them.
Durability: Lasts 1 to 3 seasons with proper care.

The evidence is clear. Research consistently shows that custom-fitted mouthguards provide significantly better protection than boil-and-bite alternatives. The Australian Dental Association specifically recommends custom-fitted mouthguards for all contact sports.

What a Mouthguard Protects Against

Knocked-out teeth — the most dramatic and expensive dental injury to treat
Broken or chipped teeth — cracks and fractures from direct impact
Cut lips, cheeks, and tongue — soft tissue injuries from teeth edges during impact
Jaw fractures — a mouthguard absorbs and distributes force, reducing fracture risk
Concussion — emerging research suggests that properly fitted mouthguards may reduce concussion severity by cushioning the jaw

Children’s Mouthguards

Children playing contact sport need mouthguards from the moment they have permanent front teeth (around age 6 to 7). Because children’s jaws and teeth are still developing, their mouthguards need to be replaced more frequently — typically every season or when significant teeth come through.

Custom-fitted mouthguards for children are just as important as for adults. A child’s permanent teeth are irreplaceable — a knocked-out adult tooth in a 10-year-old means decades of implant maintenance.

We make children’s mouthguards at Compass Dental and can adjust the fit as their teeth develop.

Mouthguard Care

Rinse with cold water after each use
Clean with a toothbrush and toothpaste or mild soap
Store in a ventilated case (not in your sports bag loose)
Keep away from heat (car dashboards, hot water) — heat distorts the shape
Bring it to your dental check-ups so we can assess fit and wear
Replace when it becomes loose, thin, or worn through

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear a mouthguard with braces?

Yes — and you absolutely should. A blow to the face with braces can cause serious damage to your lips, cheeks, and the brackets themselves. We make mouthguards specifically designed to fit over braces, with extra space to accommodate the brackets and allow for tooth movement during treatment.

My child will not wear their mouthguard — what do I do?

A poorly fitting boil-and-bite guard is the most common reason children refuse to wear one. Custom-fitted guards are dramatically more comfortable — slim, snug, and easy to breathe through. We also make them in a range of colours, which helps with younger kids.

How long does it take to get a custom mouthguard?

One appointment for the impression (10 minutes), then the mouthguard is ready for collection within 5 to 7 business days. Book before the season starts.