Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Play It Safe, Wear a Mouthguard in Glen Iris.

The Importance of Mouthguards: Preventing Dental Injuries in Sports

Every year, thousands of children and adults suffer dental injuries that could have been prevented or reduced by simply wearing a mouthguard. The Australian Dental Association highly recommends using a mouthguard in any sport or activity where there is a risk of collision or facial contact. Dental injuries often occur during activities we least expect—so it’s always safest to play with a mouthguard.

Who Should Wear a Mouthguard?

High-contact sports such as rugby league/union, AFL, hockey, and boxing are obvious candidates for mouthguard use. However, any sport or activity with potential for facial impact—like cricket, basketball, netball, touch football, and soccer—poses a real risk of dental trauma.

Participants in contact sports know the risks and often protect themselves, but injuries can occur unexpectedly, especially in so-called “non-contact” sports.

The Damage from Sporting Injuries

Dental trauma may include nerve injuries, fractured, cracked, or knocked-out teeth, broken jaws, cut lips, and tongue injuries. Unfortunately, a single dental trauma can mean a lifelong need for restoration and dental work. Fillings, crowns, or root canal therapy may need to be replaced multiple times. Prevention is always best—wear a mouthguard and avoid a lifetime of dental problems.

Proper Protection for Your Mouth

Dr. Kaufman and the Australian Dental Association recommend a custom-fitted mouthguard for anyone playing contact sports or those with a high risk of mouth injury. Custom mouthguards, professionally made by Dr. Kaufman, are far more comfortable, and allow for easier speaking and breathing than ‘boil-and-bite’ mouthguards from a chemist or sports shop. Off-the-shelf guards are generic, may fit poorly, and can even increase injury risk if they move during impact.

Don’t risk your smile—make an appointment with Dr. Kaufman for a custom-fit mouthguard and keep your teeth protected.

Why wear a mouth guard while playing sport in Glen Iris?

Each year, thousands of adults and children are treated for dental injuries that could have been prevented or minimised by simply wearing a mouthguard. The Australian Dental Association strongly recommends the use of a mouthguard in any sport or activity where collision or contact is likely, during both games and training. Often injuries in sports or activities that occur, are those we didn’t even consider to be a danger. It’s always best to ‘play it safe’ and wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth.

Who Needs a Mouthguard?

Anyone who plays a sport or undertakes an activity where collision or contact to the face is a risk should wear a mouthguard. Sports such as rugby union and league, AFL, hockey and boxing are ‘no brainers’ because intentional collision, are part of the game.
However, it is sports where accidental collision occurs that are often responsible for dental trauma, such as cricket, basketball, netball, touch football, and soccer. These sports are considered ‘non-contact’ and yet they also carry a risk of accidental collision.
It does not matter if you are just during training or you are during a game, the risk is always there.

The consequences of an injury to the face.

Dental trauma from sporting injury can include damage to the tooth nerve, fractured, cracked or knocked-out teeth, a broken jaw, damage to the tongue and cut lips. Unfortunately, a single event of dental trauma can lead to a lifelong need for dental treatment in order to maintain the strength and health of the damaged tooth or teeth. Some treatments do not last forever so a damaged tooth will often need attention more than once. Prevention is always better than the cure, so play it safe and wear a mouthguard.

The best protection.

The Australian Dental Association recommends a custom-fitted mouthguard for all those who participate in contact sports or sports with high risk of dental injury. A custom-fitted mouthguard that has been designed by Tooronga Family Dantistry makes breathing and speaking a lot easier when wearing your mouthguard. You are overall a lot more comfortable than the ‘boil-and-bite’ counterparts. These are the mouthguard that you can purchase from a chemist or sports store that offer less protection as they are ill-fitted and loose in the mouth, which can be dangerous during impact or they may come out altogether.
It is important to stay safe when playing sports, don’t let an injury take away the fum from the game.

Sports and Dental Injuries: Glen Iris Guide to Mouthguards and Prevention

Staying active is vital for a healthy lifestyle in Glen Iris—but certain sports can put your teeth at risk. Here’s what you and your family need to know about preventing dental injuries while staying fit:

Facts About Sports-Related Dental Injuries

  • Children and teens in Glen Iris have the highest rate of dental trauma from sports activities.

  • The biggest culprits: footy, basketball, cricket, cycling, and hockey.

  • Injuries happen from falls, contact with elbows or hands, or being hit in the face by a bat, ball, or other sporting equipment.

Why You Need a Custom Mouthguard in Glen Iris

Wearing a mouthguard greatly reduces the chance of dental injury on the field or court. At Tooronga Family Dentistry, our custom mouthguards come in three levels of protection, offering the best fit, comfort, and safety.
Store-bought (chemist) mouthguards may seem easy, but often won’t stay in place when you need them most.

What To Do After a Dental Injury

If you or your child suffers a dental injury during sport, make an appointment immediately with Tooronga Family Dentistry for emergency care.
If the person lost consciousness, has unstoppable bleeding, or deep face or tongue cuts, seek urgent medical attention right away at your nearest emergency facility.

Stay safe and keep scoring goals—with a protected, healthy Glen Iris smile!

Why Mouthguards Matter for Sport in Glen Iris: Tooronga Family Dentistry’s Guide

Do you play sports, martial arts, or cycle around Glen Iris? If you don’t regularly wear a mouthguard, consider the risk—a single accident could mean a missing front tooth or even damage to your TMJ jaw joint. Nearly 40% of dental trauma in kids is due to sports injuries.

How Mouthguards Protect Your Teeth

Mouthguards act as elastic bumpers, absorbing and distributing the force of a blow—helping prevent fractures, tooth loss (avulsion), and even concussion.

Which Mouthguard Should You Choose?

  • Ready-Made Mouthguards:
    Cheap, sold at chemists or sports shops. Often uncomfortable, poor fit, hard to speak or breathe with, and can easily fall out during activity.

  • “Boil and Bite” Mouthguards:
    DIY style, better fit than ready-made. Still bulky, can make speaking difficult, and may loosen during vigorous play.

  • Custom Fitted Mouthguards:
    The best for protection, comfort, and durability. Research—including a Journal of Athletic Training study—shows custom mouthguards reduce concussion risk by over 50%. These are made to closely fit your teeth, retain well, and many athletes find breathing and speaking much easier. Personalize color and even add your name, all at Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris.

Take Action for Your Smile & Safety

Don’t gamble with your health or appearance! Whether you’re an adult or child, protect your teeth, gums, and jaw with a custom mouthguard.
Tooronga Family Dentistry can create guards in your choice of colors and add your name. Book your appointment today and play with confidence.