If your child plays a contact or ball sport, a mouthguard is the single most useful piece of dental protection you can give them. Sport is a leading cause of dental injuries in Australian children, and a knocked-out or broken front tooth at a young age can mean a lifetime of repairs. A mouthguard that fits well cushions the teeth, lips and jaw from a knock. The catch is that fit matters enormously, and a growing mouth outgrows a guard quickly, so the type you choose and how often you replace it both count.
Here is how to choose the right mouthguard for a child and keep it protecting them as they grow.
Key takeaways
- Sport accounts for a large share of children's dental injuries, and a mouthguard is a simple, proven safeguard.
- A custom-fitted mouthguard made by a dentist protects far better than an off-the-shelf or boil-and-bite type.
- Poorly fitting guards get spat out or chewed, which leaves teeth unprotected.
- Growing children need their guard checked and often remade each season as new teeth come through.
- Guards are recommended for any sport with a risk of contact or a flying ball, stick or elbow.
Why kids need a mouthguard
Children's front teeth take the brunt of falls and collisions, and the years when adult front teeth are erupting are exactly when many kids are most active in sport. A mouthguard spreads and absorbs the force of an impact, lowering the chance of chipped, loosened or knocked-out teeth and cushioning the lips against being cut on the teeth. It may also reduce the force transmitted to the jaw. The Australian Dental Association recommends a mouthguard for anyone playing a sport where contact or a ball is possible, and some junior competitions run a no mouthguard, no play rule.
Which sports need one
Any sport with a risk of contact, a hard ball, or swinging equipment is worth protecting against. Common ones include Australian football, rugby league and union, soccer, basketball, hockey, cricket (batting and keeping), netball, martial arts, skateboarding and BMX. If in doubt, a guard does no harm and may save a tooth.
Custom versus boil-and-bite
There are three broad types, and they are not equal. Research points strongly to custom-fitted guards giving the best protection, because they are moulded to the individual mouth and stay put.
| Type | Fit and protection | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stock (ready to wear) | Poor, bulky, loose | Cheapest, often spat out, least protective |
| Boil-and-bite | Moderate, wears out faster | Softened in hot water and bitten to shape |
| Custom (dentist-made) | Best, precise, stays in | Made from a mould, more comfortable, easier to talk and breathe |
Studies suggest custom guards substantially lower the risk of dental injury compared with the boil-and-bite type, largely because they fit better and are actually worn for the whole game. A bulky guard that a child removes because it makes them gag protects nothing. Comfort is not a luxury here, it is what keeps the guard in the mouth.
Growing mouths need remakes
A child's mouth changes fast. Baby teeth fall out, adult teeth erupt, and the jaw grows, so a guard that fit perfectly last year may be loose or tight this year. A loose guard offers far less protection. Plan to have the fit checked at the start of each season, and expect to remake a child's guard more often than an adult's, sometimes every year while the adult teeth are coming through. This is one reason a custom guard, which can be reviewed and remade to match the changing mouth, suits growing children well.
Caring for a mouthguard
Rinse it in cool water after each use, brush it gently, and store it in a ventilated case away from heat, as hot water or a hot car can warp it. Check it regularly for tears or thin spots, and bring it to dental check-ups so the fit can be reviewed. If a tooth is knocked out during sport, our guide to what to do in a dental emergency explains the immediate steps.
Frequently asked questions
At what age should a child start wearing a mouthguard?
As soon as they play a sport with any contact or ball risk, including junior levels. Even with baby teeth, a guard protects the lips and jaw, and it becomes more important as adult front teeth come in.
Are custom mouthguards worth it for kids who are still growing?
Yes. A custom guard fits better and is worn more consistently, which is what protects teeth. It will need remaking as the mouth grows, but the protection during each season is worth it.
Can my child wear a mouthguard with braces?
Yes, and it is especially important with braces, as a knock can drive the lips into the brackets. A guard should be fitted to work with the braces, so ask your dentist or orthodontist.
How often should a child's mouthguard be replaced?
Have the fit checked each season. Growing children often need a new guard every year or so as teeth erupt and the jaw changes, and any guard should be replaced if it tears or no longer fits.
Do boil-and-bite guards work?
They offer some protection and are better than nothing, but they fit less precisely, wear out faster and are more likely to be removed mid-game than a custom guard.
The takeaway
Sport is a leading cause of dental injuries in children, and a well-fitted mouthguard is a simple way to protect young teeth. Custom guards fit best and are worn most consistently, which is what actually prevents injury, and a growing mouth needs the fit reviewed and the guard remade regularly. For a fit check or to get your child set up before the season, see our current offers or visit our general dentistry page.
This article is general information and not a substitute for an individual dental assessment.
