Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Family dental care in Glen Iris

Protecting Your Child’s Teeth During Sport: Why Mouthguards Matter in Glen Iris

young boy recently fractured his front teeth when a teammate accidentally swung a cricket bat backwards. While it may sound like a freak accident, dental trauma during sport is unfortunately common. Research shows that between 13% and 39% of dental injuries occur during sports, and around 80% of those injuries involve the front teeth. Injuries to the tongue, lips, and cheeks are also frequent.

Why a Mouthguard Is Essential for Sport

Even seemingly “minor” dental injuries can lead to serious, costly, and lifelong problems. If your child plays sport—or if you enjoy high-risk activities yourself—wearing a protective mouthguard is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent injury.

Custom Mouthguards

A custom-fit mouthguard offers the best protection. It is comfortable, secure, and won’t fall out at the moment of impact. This gives far better protection against dental fractures and soft-tissue injuries.

Boil-and-bite Mouthguards

These can be purchased from chemists and sporting-goods stores. While cheaper, they are often bulky, may not fit well, and can cause:

  • Muscle fatigue

  • Difficulty breathing

  • TMJ (jaw joint) irritation

Whenever possible, a professionally fitted mouthguard is the safer choice.

When You Also Need a Helmet

Depending on your sport, a mouthguard alone may not be enough. Helmets are essential for activities involving speed or impact, including:

  • Bike riding

  • Skating

  • Hockey

Make sure the helmet fits correctly and is designed for the specific sport you’re playing.

What to Do if a Tooth Is Injured

If your child experiences a dental injury:

  1. Collect all fragments of the tooth.

  2. Store them in a moist environment—cold milk is ideal.

  3. Seek dental care immediately. Early assessment gives the best chance of saving the tooth and preventing long-term complications.

Need Advice or Emergency Dental Care in Glen Iris?

👉Call or book online Tooronga Family Dentistry on (03) 9822 7006 so we can help you quickly.

📍 Conveniently located for families in Glen Iris, Tooronga, Malvern and Hawthorn East