Sports mouthguards · Bayside Melbourne
Custom sports mouthguards in Cheltenham
A custom mouthguard is made from a scan of your own teeth, so it holds its position without being clenched in place and lets you talk and breathe more easily than a moulded-at-home guard. Park Road Dental makes them at 155 Park Road, Cheltenham, for players of every age. Call (03) 9584 4949.
Why the fit matters
A mouthguard works by spreading the force of a knock across a larger area instead of letting it land on one or two teeth. How well it does that depends on how closely it follows the shape of your teeth and how securely it stays put when you move, talk and breathe hard.
A guard that shifts, or that has to be held in place by biting down, is doing less of that job — and it is also the guard most likely to be left in a bag. Comfort is not a luxury here; it is what determines whether the thing is actually worn.
Custom-fitted compared with boil-and-bite
Boil-and-bite guards from a chemist are softened in hot water and pressed into shape at home. They are inexpensive and immediately available, which counts for something, but the thickness ends up uneven and the fit reflects how well the moulding went on the night.
A custom guard is made to a digital scan of your teeth, so thickness can be placed where impact is most likely and the guard follows the gum line accurately. It is the more expensive option. Which is appropriate depends on the sport, the level of contact and the player, and we will give you a straight answer at the fitting.
Mouthguards for children and teenagers
Children need more frequent replacement than adults, because a guard is made to the teeth present on the day it is scanned and a young mouth keeps changing — teeth are lost, adult teeth erupt, and the jaw grows.
There is no single replacement interval that fits every child. Bring the guard to check-ups and we will look at how it is sitting; a guard that has become tight, or that no longer covers newly erupted teeth, needs remaking. For children in regular contact sport this often means more than one guard across their growing years.
How yours is made
The first appointment is short. We check that the teeth and gums are healthy, take a digital scan rather than a putty impression, and talk through colour options and the sport you play so the thickness suits it.
The guard is then made and fitted at a second visit, where we check the coverage, the way it sits against the gums and how it feels when you bite and speak. Bring it to your regular check-ups so we can keep an eye on the fit.
Looking after it
Rinse it in cold water before and after each use, and let it dry before it goes back in its case. Hot water will distort it, so avoid dishwashers, car dashboards and windowsills in summer.
A vented case matters more than people expect — a damp guard sealed in a bag develops an odour quickly. Check it every so often for tears or thin spots, and bring it in if the shape looks like it has changed.
If a tooth is knocked out anyway
No mouthguard removes the risk of dental injury, and knocks still happen. If an adult tooth is knocked out, what you do in the first half hour matters — hold it by the crown rather than the root, and get to a dentist quickly.
Our guide on what to do when a tooth is knocked out sets out the steps, and our emergency dentist page explains how to reach us on the day.
Sports mouthguards FAQs
Which sports need a mouthguard?
Any sport with a risk of contact with another player, equipment or the ground. In Australia that commonly includes football codes, hockey, basketball, netball, cricket, martial arts, boxing and skateboarding. Your club or association may also have its own requirement.
Why not just use a chemist mouthguard?
Boil-and-bite guards are moulded at home, so thickness ends up uneven and the fit depends on how the moulding went. A custom guard is made to a scan of your teeth. Whether the difference justifies the cost depends on the sport and the player — ask us.
How often should a child's mouthguard be replaced?
More often than an adult's, because the mouth keeps changing as teeth are lost and adult teeth come through. There is no fixed interval — bring it to check-ups and we will tell you when it needs remaking.
Can I have it in my club colours?
Colour options are available and we will go through them at the scanning appointment.
Book a sports mouthguard fitting in Cheltenham
New patients are welcome and no referral is needed. We are open six days, including Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, with on-site parking.
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