Rural schedules fill up fast, so it makes sense to fold a mouthguard check into appointments you are already planning. We look at your child’s sport, teeth and current guard, explain the options, and set up rechecks that line up with routine dental visits.
Households on the rural side of Milton tend to make every trip into town do double duty. Groceries, the hardware store, a dental cleaning. A sports mouthguard review fits that pattern well: your child is already in the chair, and a few extra minutes can confirm whether their guard still suits the teeth they have now.
To make that work, bring the guard along to the routine appointment and mention it when you book. If you are thinking about a new or custom guard, say so, and share your child’s activities, any recent tooth changes, earlier injuries to the mouth and plans for braces or other orthodontic work.
Ask your child a couple of questions on the drive in. Does the guard stay up? Does it make it hard to breathe or call out on the ice? What they tell you is worth passing on, because a guard they dislike rarely gets worn.
Teeth and activities both change between visits. Jot down anything new so the guard can be reviewed in one appointment where possible.
Hockey, lacrosse and soccer come with obvious contact, but riding, cycling and backyard games can involve falls too. List them all, and ask the dentist how a guard fits with the helmet, face protection and rules your child already follows.
Slipping, rubbing, clenching to keep it in, or trouble breathing and speaking are reasons for a fit review. Bring the guard rather than cutting it down at home, and let your child know that telling you was the right thing to do.
A baby tooth that came out last week, an adult tooth arriving, or braces planned for the spring can all affect fit. Share these with the clinician, and ask how often the guard should be rechecked during your regular visits.
A hit to the mouth may need assessment even if the guard was in place. Protection reduces risk; it doesn’t confirm the teeth and gums came through unharmed.
Correctly fitted sports mouthguards help reduce the chance of injury to the teeth and nearby soft tissue. The Canadian Dental Association recommends that families think about custom-fitted options. Either way, the guard has to stay where it belongs during play to be of real use.
A guard is still just one piece of the safety picture. Helmets, face protection, fair play and medical attention after a possible head injury all remain necessary. No one should present it to you as a concussion preventer or a guarantee against tooth injury.
Patient information: Canadian Dental Association — preventing sports-related oral injuries
Rather than relying on the age on the package, the clinician checks your child’s teeth, bite and any appliance. Ask what a suitable guard should feel like and how the fit is being assessed. Your child’s comments matter.
Your child can try the guard in a calm setting and learn to put it in, take it out and store it. Ask any questions while you are there. Persistent discomfort is a reason to call, not something to tolerate.
A child’s mouth keeps changing, so the guard needs repeated review. Ask which signs warrant an extra trip in from Campbellville and which can wait for the next cleaning, and bring the guard to each routine appointment.
Raise it well before the season starts. Timing depends on the guard selected, and an assessment does not include a guard delivered the same day.
Let us know the sport, level, equipment, past injuries and orthodontic plans so time can be set aside. Bring the current guard. Tell us if your child finds things in the mouth difficult, so the visit can be adapted.
The clinician looks at the teeth, bite, eruption and any appliance, then explains how custom and retail guards differ for your child. Ask about the number of visits, cost and likely replacement, so you can plan the trips.
If custom is chosen, records of the teeth are taken in the way the clinician arranges. A strong gag reflex or sensory concerns are worth mentioning first. Ask when it should be ready and whether a fitting visit is needed.
We check that the guard stays in place and that breathing and speaking feel comfortable. Your child practises with it, and we go over cleaning and storage. Agree on when it should next be looked at, ideally alongside a routine visit, and what should prompt a call before then.
Follow the directions for your child’s particular guard. Younger children will likely need a parent to keep the routine going for a while.
Rinse and clean the guard as you were shown, using products that suit its material. Let it dry completely before storing it in a ventilated case. Keep it out of hot vehicles and away from heaters, which can change its shape.
Look now and then for tears, worn spots, warping and rough edges. Encourage your child to wear the guard rather than chew it. Keep it personal, and replace damaged material instead of patching it with glue.
Bring the guard to every routine visit, and call sooner if it stops seating comfortably. Teeth coming and going, new fillings and orthodontic work can shift the fit. Don’t rely on the date of purchase to judge it.
Patient information: Fraser Health — choosing and caring for sports mouthguards
Parents ask about timing, combining visits, cleaning and what to do if a guard goes missing. A quick fit review answers many of them.
Contact our Bronte Street practice to plan your child’s mouthguard review. Bring their current guard and a list of their activities, and mention any orthodontic plans or recent dental changes when you book.
Each child’s guard type, fit, fabrication timing and replacement needs are discussed individually. Injuries need assessment even when a guard was worn.
