Get your mouthguard sorted to avoid injury

WITH collisions or falls accounting for 66 per cent of sports injury hospitalisations, dentists are urging parents and amateur athletes to get their mouthguards sorted for the 2026 season to help avoid nasty injuries.

The latest government data suggests 19 per cent of participants experienced an injury while playing sport with collision-heavy codes such as AFL and rugby having more than double the hospitalisation rate of any other recreational sport.

Despite these risks, only 36 per cent of Australians wear a mouthguard when playing contact sport, and even fewer wear a mouthguard during training.

Dr Mark Dohlad, principal dental officer at Bupa Dental, said the start of the junior sport season was a critical moment for parents.

He warned many children began training and games without adequate mouth protection, often using mouthguards that no longer fit.

“Kids’ mouths grow and change quickly, which means a mouthguard that fitted last season may not offer the protection parents assume it does,” he said.

“Too often dentists see preventable injuries occur early in the season or at training, when mouthguards are forgotten or a poorly fitting one shifts on impact, leaving teeth, jaws and soft tissue exposed.”

Dr Dohlad said properly fitted, custom-made mouthguards remained the most effective defence against sports injuries such as fractured teeth, broken jaws and painful lacerations to the tongue or cheek resulting from impact or inadvertent biting during contact sports.

“While over the counter ‘boil and bite’ mouthguards are better than nothing, they simply don’t provide the same level of coverage or stability. They’re more likely to loosen or fall out during play, particularly in fast moving sports like football, rugby or basketball.

“Professionally fitted mouthguards are designed around a player’s individual bite by a dentist, helping them stay firmly in place during both games and training. That fit and quality makes a real difference to confidence on the field and gives parents peace of mind knowing their child has appropriate protection, not just something that looks like protection.”

The Australian Dental Association and Sports Medicine Australia have developed a mouthguard policy and are encouraging sports clubs to have a “no mouthguard, no play” policy.

Dr Dohlad said getting fitted for a mouthguard was simple, painless and started with a short visit for a scan or impression.

“Kids can choose their team colours and a follow up appointment ensures the mouthguard fits comfortably and securely.

“Once that’s taken care of, players can just focus on enjoying the game.”