Athletes don’t go into a game unless they’ve got the right gear, and one of the most essential items for almost all athletes is a mouthguard. Firmly covering your teeth, sports mouthguards help to provide shock absorption and protect your teeth against damage.
But when it comes to choosing the right option, should you get a custom sports mouthguard from the dentist, or can you get away with a cheaper one over-the-counter? Let’s have a look at the differences.
The importance of wearing mouthguards for sport
Firstly, if you’re playing sport without using a mouthguard, it’s probably time to get one. When you play without a mouthguard, you’re at risk of chipping or damaging teeth, or even having one knocked out. This isn’t just painful but can be costly, and may lead to further issues in your mouth.
Wearing a sports mouthguard helps to absorb the shock of contact to your mouth or head. Even in sports that are largely considered non-contact, there is still a level of risk. Wearing a mouthguard is protection against any potential damage in the case of collision. Mouthguards also ensure you don’t accidentally bite your tongue, lips or inner cheeks, preserving the soft tissues of your mouth.
Why you should avoid over-the-counter mouthguards
Mouthguards can be bought pretty easily at pharmacies or even supermarkets, with these over-the-counter options often cheaper and more accessible than their custom counterparts. But they’re cheaper for a reason, manufactured with lower-quality materials and typically far less durable. Store-bought mouthguards are thinner, more susceptible to damage, and typically need to be replaced a lot more often.
Another key issue with store-bought mouthguards is that they offer a much less precise fit than custom-made mouthguards. This creates the potential for discomfort and reduced protection. While some can be moulded to your teeth — commonly known as ‘boil and bite’ — these are still not perfectly matched to your mouth profile. Despite their affordability, these options are less protective, less durable and overall less worthwhile.
The benefits of custom mouthguards
By contrast, custom-made sports mouthguards offer better fit and protection, thanks to being perfectly designed to match each patient’s unique mouth profile. Instead of being general in size and shape, custom-fit mouthguards are perfectly moulded based on the position and shape of your teeth. This means they are better able to protect your teeth when you have a collision, and prevent against damage.
Custom mouthguards are typically thicker, meaning they are more durable and able to withstand more use over time. They are also able to be customised to fit around braces or other orthodontic appliances. Athletes are better able to focus entirely on their performance, instead of worrying about movement or comfort of their mouthguard.
While custom-made mouthguards are more expensive, they also offer significantly better value for money than store-bought options. Your teeth will be better protected and for much longer.
How custom mouthguards are made
Getting a moulded mouthguard takes two appointments. At the first, we take a detailed impression of your teeth by having you bite into soft material that moulds according to your mouth profile. This impression is sent to a lab where your custom mouthguard is fabricated to the exact dimensions of your teeth. We can also digitally scan your teeth using an intraoral scanner which is usually a lot more comfortable.
Once your mouthguard has been made, we have a follow-up appointment to fit the mouthguard onto your teeth for the first time. This helps us to ensure it has been created accurately and fits snugly. If it doesn’t, we can make adjustments to the mouthguard to give your teeth the full protection they need.
The best sports protection
While you may have to pay a bit more for a custom mouthguard than an over-the-counter one, the additional protection, longevity and comfort make it fully worth it. Our custom sports mouthguards at Oakleigh Dental are the perfect option for any athlete, tailored to your needs so you can focus on performing at your best.
If you’re interested in getting a custom mouthguard or learning more about the process, get in touch with us today. We can’t wait to help.
