How to Choose the Right Mouthguard for Your Sport or Activity

You wouldn’t send a cricketer out to bat without a helmet, nor would you let a boxer step into the ring without gloves. Yet, when it comes to sports mouthguards, many athletes (and parents) treat them as an afterthought.

Given that a collision can happen in a split second, swapping that afterthought for a professional fit is the smartest defensive play you can make, highlighting the true importance of mouthguards in sports.

Most people assume a mouthguard is simply a shield for teeth. While that is true, the full purpose of a mouthguard in sports goes much deeper. A properly fitted device acts as a shock absorber for the entire facial structure.

When you take a hit to the jaw, the force travels. A quality mouthguard helps dissipate that energy, cushioning the blow to reduce the risk of jaw fractures and soft tissue injuries to the lips and cheeks.

There is also the “confidence factor.” Athletes play differently when they feel safe. Hesitation leads to injury, but knowing you are protected allows you to commit to the contest.

Sadly, dental trauma remains one of the most common preventable sporting injuries in Australia.

Learn More: Why custom protection beats the alternatives.

Naturally, full-contact codes mandate them. If you or your child plays Rugby League, Rugby Union, AFL, Hockey, or participates in combat sports like Boxing and MMA, a mouthguard is compulsory.

However, “non-contact” doesn’t mean “no contact.” High-impact sports like Basketball, Netball, Soccer, and even Water Polo see a significant number of dental injuries caused by elbows, clashes of heads, or falls.

Check your activity: Mouthguards by Sport.

Generally, there are three types of mouthguards for sports available to Australians:

1. Stock Mouthguards: These come pre-formed and are ready to wear instantly. Unfortunately, they rarely fit well, relying on you biting down constantly to keep them in place. This can obstruct breathing and speech.
2. Boil-and-Bite: The most common retail option. You soften the plastic in hot water and bite into it. While better than stock versions, getting an accurate fit is difficult.
3. Custom-Fit Mouthguards: This is the professional standard. We use 3D scanning technology to capture a perfect digital model of your teeth. The guard is then fabricated in a lab to match the athlete’s unique mouth shape.

At Mobile Mouthguards, the level of mouthguard we recommend is based on the user’s age and the type of contact involved in their sport.

Learn More: How It Works.

The golden rule is stability. The guard should stay firmly on the upper teeth without you having to bite down to hold it there. You should be able to open your mouth, speak clearly to teammates, and breathe normally during heavy exertion.

See the Tech: 3Shape TRIOS Scanner.

Pro sport mouthguards are engineered for heavy collisions. These professional-grade guards are typically laminated, meaning they are built up in layers with heat and pressure. This allows for specific thickness and shock absorption capabilities tailored to the sport. For instance, a heavyweight boxer needs different density protection compared to a junior footy player.

Customisation is also key. With our digital design process, you can choose your team colours, add text, or include a logo.

Explore High-Impact Options: Sports Mouthguards.

When weighing up the cost, consider the importance of mouthguards in sports regarding long-term health. A custom guard is significantly cheaper than the lifetime maintenance costs of a dental implant or root canal following a lost tooth.

Beyond the financial safety net, the benefits of mouthguards in sports extend to performance. Oxygen flow is critical for endurance. Because a custom mouthguard fits purely to your dental arch, it occupies less space in the mouth than a bulky boil-and-bite variety, empowering you to breathe easier and perform harder, for longer.

Deep Dive: Why custom is the athlete’s choice.

With over 10 years of experience, Mobile Mouthguards bridges the gap between clinical excellence and sporting convenience. The process is fast, hygienic, and health fund rebate eligible.

Plus, as a proudly Australian-owned business, you can trust the quality of the materials going into your mouth.

Whether you need to kit out an entire rugby team or simply need guards for the upcoming season, we’re here to help. Book a fitting today.