It's that time of year again. The ovals around Malvern East and Glen Iris are full on Saturday mornings, the netball courts are booked solid, and — from where I sit — the season has a less charming signature: children arriving at the clinic with chipped, cracked or knocked-out teeth from winter sport. Most of these injuries have one thing in common. No mouthguard, or a loose-fitting one that popped out at exactly the wrong moment.
Why dentists get twitchy about footy season
A front tooth injury in a child is rarely a small thing. Baby teeth can usually be managed, but damage to adult teeth — especially a knocked-out one — can mean years of follow-up: splinting, possible root canal treatment, and sometimes decisions that stretch into adulthood. Sports Medicine Australia and the Australian Dental Association both recommend mouthguards for training as well as games, because in my experience training is where a surprising number of these accidents actually happen — guards down, literally.
Chemist mouthguard vs custom-fitted: what's the real difference?
The boil-and-bite guards from the chemist are better than nothing — I want to say that clearly. But they have two consistent problems. They fit loosely, so children (and adults) tend to chew on them or spit them out mid-game, which means the guard isn't in place when it matters. And because the material isn't distributed to suit the individual mouth, the protection is uneven.
A custom-fitted mouthguard is made from a precise mould of your child's teeth. The practical differences parents notice:
- It stays put without clenching, so kids can talk, breathe and drink normally — which means they actually wear it
- Even thickness where protection is needed most
- Comfortable enough to forget about (the single best predictor of whether a mouthguard gets used)
- Colours can be chosen to match team colours — never underestimate this with an eight-year-old
This is why the ADA recommends custom-fitted mouthguards over over-the-counter ones for organised sport.
A few things parents ask me
"My child has a mouthguard from last season — is it still fine?" Maybe, but children's mouths change quickly, especially between about six and twelve when baby teeth are coming and going. Bring it along to their next check-up and I'll tell you honestly whether it still fits or needs replacing. A mouthguard that fitted beautifully last winter can be uselessly loose by this one.
"Which sports need one?" Any sport with a real chance of contact with a ball, a boot, an elbow or the ground: footy and netball obviously, but also basketball, hockey, martial arts and rugby. If in doubt, wear one.
"What if a tooth does get knocked out?" For an adult tooth: find it, hold it by the crown (not the root), and if you can, gently place it back in the socket and have your child bite softly on a clean cloth. If that's not possible, store it in milk — not water, and never dry — and call us straight away on (03) 9885 6999. Time genuinely matters; it's one of the few true minutes-count situations in dentistry. Baby teeth should not be re-inserted — but still call us so we can check for other damage.
Getting one made is easy
It takes a short appointment to take the mould, and the finished mouthguard is usually ready within a week or two. If your child is due for a check-up anyway, we can often do both in the one visit — one less thing in the school-term juggle. Call us on (03) 9885 6999 to book a fitting, or mention it when booking their next check-up.
Here's to a winter season of muddy boots, orange quarters, and every tooth staying exactly where it belongs.
— Dr Tani
Dr Sitanshu (Tani) Arora is the principal dentist at Central Park Dental, 142 Burke Road, Malvern East. This article is general information only and isn't a substitute for individual dental advice — every mouth is different, so please talk to your dentist about your own situation.