As pre-season training kicks off for winter sports in Glen Iris, parents and caregivers are busy fitting children with new boots, helmets, and protective gear. But don’t forget—a dental check-up is just as important as new sports equipment! Kids may need a new mouthguard to protect their growing smiles.
Professor David Manton, Chair of the Australian Dental Association (ADA) Oral Health Committee, emphasizes: “Children’s teeth and jaws grow every year, just like their feet. It’s crucial to see your dentist in Glen Iris to ensure their mouthguard still fits correctly. An ill-fitting mouthguard could do more harm than good.”
Why Choose a Custom-Made Mouthguard?
The ADA strongly advises wearing a custom-fit mouthguard professionally made by your dentist. These offer superior protection for teeth and jaws compared to store-bought or ‘boil and bite’ mouthguards, which often provide little to no real safety.
‘No Mouthguard, No Play’ for Glen Iris Youth Sports
Sports Medicine Australia and the ADA have partnered to promote a “No Mouthguard, No Play” policy, which many schools and sporting clubs in Glen Iris and across Victoria are adopting.
“The most important requirement for a mouthguard is that it stays in place during impact—fit and resilience are vital for real protection,” adds Professor Manton. While some parents worry about the cost of a custom mouthguard, think long-term: repairing traumatic dental injuries is far more expensive than investing in professional protection up front.
Mouthguard Benefits
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Properly fitted mouthguards absorb and spread the force of a blow to the face, helping prevent injuries to teeth, gums, and jaws
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Each year, preventable dental emergencies happen because children wear the wrong type of mouthguard—or none at all