Each year, thousands of adults and children are treated for dental injuries that could have been prevented or minimised by simply wearing a properly fitted mouthguard.
Every March, Medland Dental, in conjunction with the Australian Dental Association, aims to spread the word – Play it Safe this #Mouthguard March
If you play a sport, you are at risk of injuring your teeth and mouth.
Sports mouthguards work by absorbing and spreading the impact of a knock to the face. A sports mouthguard can protect you from serious sporting injuries, such as broken jaws, fractured, cracked or knocked-out teeth, and cut lips and tongues. A sports mouthguard may also absorb impact forces and help reduce concussions.
Dental injuries are often complex and can be expensive to treat. When we break a bone, our body can often do a pretty good job of repairing the damage. When we break a tooth, it’s a very different story.
Unfortunately, a single case of dental trauma can require a lifetime of dental treatment to maintain the strength and health of the damaged tooth/teeth. Repair work does not last forever, so a damaged tooth will often become a lifelong problem, making a custom-fitted mouthguard one of the best investments in sporting equipment you can make.
Prevention is always better than the cure. Play it safe, and wear a mouthguard!
Who needs a Mouthguard?
Anyone who plays a sport or undertakes an activity where collision or contact with the face is a real risk should wear a mouthguard.
Sports such as rugby union and league, AFL, hockey and boxing are obvious because intentional collision and contact are a part of the game.
However, it is sports where accidental collisions occur that are often responsible for dental trauma. Accidental collisions occur in sports such as cricket, basketball, netball, touch football, and soccer. These sports are considered “non-contact” and yet they also carry risk of collision and contribute to the thousands of adults and children who are treated for dental trauma each year.
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) strongly recommends the use of a mouthguard where intentional or accidental collisions are a real risk, at any age and skill level, during games and all training sessions.
What options are there for choosing a Mouthguard?
There is a wide variety of mouthguards available in Australia. Options range from over-the-counter mouthguards to professionally custom-fitted mouthguards.
Pharmacies and sports stores offer a variety of over-the-counter products in both standard and semi-fitted (“boil and bite”) styles. These devices provide only slightly better protection than wearing no mouthguard; they are usually loose and ill-fitted and feel uncomfortable to wear. They are more likely to fall out on impact and can sometimes make speaking and breathing difficult. These mouthguards do not provide the same level of protection as a custom-fitted mouthguard.
A custom-fitted mouthguard made by your dentist is the most protective for the teeth and mouth. Custom-fitted mouthguards are designed to fit the shape of your teeth and mouth, making them more comfortable to wear. A custom-made mouthguard that has been designed by your dentist makes breathing and speaking a lot easier when wearing your mouthguard and, overall, is a lot more comfortable than a “boil and bite” counterpart.
How to get a custom-fitted mouthguard?
You can make an appointment with your Medland Dentist, Oral Health Therapist or Hygienist to start making your custom-made mouthguard.
To make the mouthguard, an impression or 3D intraoral scan of your teeth is taken to create a model of your teeth.
Our onsite laboratory will use this model to design a uniquely fitted mouthguard that fits firmly and comfortably around your teeth and gums. Once your mouthguard is fitted, your dentist, oral health therapist, or hygienist will advise you on how to care for it properly.
A custom-fitted mouthguard may need to be replaced if it has been damaged, if new teeth have erupted or if you have had significant restorative dental treatment since your mouthguard was first fitted. It is best to have had a recent examination to ensure no other dental treatment is needed before your mouthguard is made. Always ensure you have your mouthguard assessed by your dental professional when you go for your regular active maintenance examinations.
If you or your child are in need of a new custom-fitted mouthguard don’t hesitate to contact our Front Office Coordinators on 07 3426 5777, or request an appointment.
We invite you to experience the Medland difference.
