Mouthguards in Rawson

Protect your jaw and teeth

What is a custom mouthguard?

A custom mouth guard is a thick piece of plastic that sits snugly around your teeth, protecting them from damage.

There are mouthguards that you can buy ‘off the shelf’ at pharmacies and sports stores. However, these are not made specifically for your teeth and are, therefore, usually not a very good fit. While they will offer more protection than nothing, they are not the gold standard when it comes to mouthguards.

Similarly, boil-and-bite mouthguards are available to buy over the counter. For these, you would boil the pre-made mouthguard in water to soften the plastic, then bite into it. This is a step up from one-size-fits-all mouthguards, but is not as fitted or protective as custom mouthguards.

The gold standard in mouthguards are custom made by a dentist or dental professional.

The advantages of a custom-fitted mouthguard

Custom mouthguards are extremely useful for keeping your teeth and gums in good condition, even when playing contact sports.

• Minimises and avoids damage: Custom-made mouthguards are the gold standard in minimising and avoiding damage from sports-related injuries, as their tight fit ensures teeth have a good layer of protection and that they can’t move during an impact.
• Comfortable wear: When a mouthguard is made specifically for your mouth, it is more comfortable to wear, and makes it easier to breathe than a non-custom mouthguard.
• Avoids costly, painful repairs: From chipped and broken teeth to knocked out teeth that require emergency dental treatment, a custom mouthguard can help to avoid the pain and trauma as well as the cost of getting these issues fixed.

What to expect from your custom mouthguard appointment

Getting a custom mouthguard is one of the quickest and easiest dental appointments you’ll ever go to. Here’s what to expect:

• Brush and floss before your appointment
• Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth with a special clay
• They will remove the clay impressions and your appointment is finished
• You’ll be in and out within 20 minutes
• It will take a week or two for the lab to create your custom mouthguard
• You will return to your dentist to pick up the mouthguard and ensure it fits well

If you need a custom mouthguard to play sports, get in touch with our friendly team to schedule an appointment.