Signs your mouthguard is not fitting correctly include becoming loose or not fitting up against the teeth and gums or sore spots on your gum. A good indicator for parents to watch your children for, is when the mouthguard is constantly being pulled out of your child’s mouth and chewing on it. Between the ages of 6 to 16 you will require a new mouthguard every season.
The Dental Health Foundation and the Australian Dental Association strongly recommend dental impressions be taken of your teeth. From that mould of your teeth a professional individually designed mouthguard can be manufactured to give you the best chance of your teeth and bones surviving a big hit or a wayward ball or stick. A boil and bite mouthguard is not recommended, it is false economy buying a cheap over the counter product. It is difficult to fit with a risk of burning your mouth, they can make you gag and it is uncomfortable to wear by not staying in place making it almost impossible to talk and breathe. Players have been known to choke during sport after swallowing this type of product and as they do not fit well the teeth that they touch are more prevalent to be knocked out on impact.
Performance Mouthguards provide a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE, if you cannot breathe, talk or feel comfortable wearing the mouthguard in the first month we will refund your money.
Mouthguards are not designed for one type fits all! An AFL footballer requires a very different level of protection to that of a six year playing their first year of footy. As does a junior hockey or lacrosse player where sticks and hard balls are flying around.
The Dental Health Foundation of Australia recommend manufacturing different designed mouthguards to the level of protection that is required.
Performance Mouthguards manufacture to Standards Australia “Guidelines for the Fabrication, Use and Maintenance of Sports Mouthguards”
Wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard when training and playing in contact sports can help to protect your teeth against painful and potentially expensive dental injuries. This information sheet outlines the first aid steps to take, if an accident occurs and a tooth is damaged or knocked out.
If a tooth is cracked or chipped, see your dentist as soon as possible. If possible, place fragments in plastic wrap and take with you to the dentist.
Do not try to reinsert a primary (“baby”) tooth. However seek urgent dental treatment to check if any pieces of tooth remain and to ensure no other damage has been done.
If a secondary (“adult”) tooth is knocked out, remain calm and act quickly. Do the following, immediately:
Locate the tooth and, handling it gently by the crown, ensure it is clean. The crown is the smooth white part of the tooth that is normally visible in the mouth
If the root of the tooth is dirty, and the patient is calm and conscious, ask them to gently suck the tooth clean. Alternatively, rinse the entire tooth in milk or, very briefly, in water
Immediately place the tooth back in the socket, making sure it is facing the right way around. Immediate replacement is essential and should occur within 5-10 minutes of the tooth being knocked out
Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting gently into a soft cloth, or the person administering first aid can use aluminium foil placed over the tooth, and the teeth on either side, to stabilise the tooth
If you are unable to replant the tooth back in the socket, keep it moist by putting it in a cup of milk , sealing it in plastic wrap or placing it in the conscious patient’s mouth, next to their cheek
Immediately seek dental treatment – time is critical to prevent permanent damage
Extreme care should be taken with a tooth that has been knocked out. Avoid the following:
Do not handle the root of the tooth
Do not scrape or rub the surface of the tooth
Do not let the tooth dry out – keep it moist at all times
Do not put the tooth in ice or hot water
Avoid rinsing or storing the tooth in water for more than one or two seconds
Do not remove any soft tissue fragments from the tooth
Throughout the year your child’s teeth and bone that supports the teeth is growing, therefore we make allowances in the design of the mouthguard for obvious tooth movement. Your child will require a new mouthguard every year until they are approximately 14 years of age. There is no cost charged if we have to adjust your child’s mouthguard during the season.