Mouth injuries don’t only happen in organised games. Bikes, skateboards, trampolines and driveway hockey all carry risk. We help you decide where a mouthguard makes sense for your child, choose a type that fits their growing teeth, and keep it comfortable enough to wear.
Leagues tend to set clear rules about equipment. A pickup game of ball hockey, a new set of ramps at the skate park or a backyard trampoline usually does not. Yet these are moments when a child can fall face-first or catch an elbow, and parents reasonably ask whether a guard belongs there too.
That question is a good starting point for a visit. Tell us everything your child does, formal and informal, and bring any guard they already own. Mention lost baby teeth, new adult teeth, earlier injuries to the mouth, and whether braces are planned. From Georgetown, Acton or Glen Williams, a quick call ahead can help us prepare.
We also ask your child what they would actually wear. Some will happily use a guard for hockey and refuse it on a bike. Hearing that honestly lets us talk through realistic choices instead of a rule they will ignore.
Activities change with the seasons, and so do children’s teeth. Look over the guard and the plan before each new season of play.
Skateboarding, scootering, cycling, trampolining and casual ball hockey can all lead to falls or contact. Ask the dentist where a mouthguard is reasonable, and how it fits alongside the helmet and other gear your child already uses for each activity.
If the guard keeps falling out, makes your child clamp down, rubs the gums or makes breathing feel harder, they will stop using it. Bring it in for review rather than cutting it, and thank your child for mentioning it.
Lost primary teeth, newly erupting permanent teeth and orthodontic movement can all change the fit. Tell the clinician about planned braces or appliances, and ask how the guard choice should allow for those changes and when to recheck it.
A fall or blow to the face may need an injury check whether or not a guard was in. Wearing one lowers the chance of damage; it doesn’t confirm there is none.
A properly fitted mouthguard helps cut the risk of injury to the teeth and the gums, lips and cheeks. The Canadian Dental Association’s position supports considering custom-fitted guards. Whatever the activity, protection only counts if the guard stays where it belongs throughout play.
A guard is a layer, not a wall. It doesn’t take the place of a bike helmet, a hockey cage, safe habits or a medical assessment after a suspected head injury, and it shouldn’t be pitched to your family as protection against concussion or a promise that teeth will never be hurt.
Patient information: Canadian Dental Association — preventing sports-related oral injuries
Instead of relying on an age range, the clinician looks at the teeth, bite and any appliance. Ask how fit will be assessed and what your child should expect to feel. Their impressions are a key part of the decision.
Wearing the guard first in a calm setting helps your child master putting it in, taking it out and storing it. That is the best time for questions. Lasting soreness or rubbing should be reported, not ignored.
Growing teeth mean the fit keeps changing. Ask which changes should bring you back, and bring the guard to routine dental visits. Suitable protection at each stage is the aim, rather than a single guard stretched too long.
Raise it before the busy part of the year. Timing depends on the guard chosen, and an assessment is not a promise of a guard on the same day.
We ask about sports and casual play, age group, current gear, past injuries and orthodontic treatment. Bring an old guard if you have one. If your child is sensitive to things in the mouth, let us know early.
The clinician reviews teeth, bite, erupting teeth and appliances, then explains the differences between custom and retail guards for your child. Ask about visits, cost and when a replacement is likely before you choose.
A custom guard needs records of the teeth, taken using the method the clinician arranges. Tell us ahead of time about gagging or sensory concerns. Ask roughly when the guard should be ready and whether a fitting appointment follows.
We check that the guard stays in and that your child can breathe and talk comfortably. They practise handling it, and we explain cleaning and storage. Before you leave, find out when to come back and what changes, such as a torn guard or a new tooth, should prompt a call.
Use the care directions for your child’s particular guard. A parent may need to run the routine until your child handles it reliably.
Clean the guard after each use as directed, with products that suit its material. Let it dry before putting it in a vented, protective case. Keep it away from heat; a car interior on a sunny day can warp it.
Look regularly for splits, thin areas, warping or edges that have become sharp. Discourage chewing between plays. A guard is personal, so no sharing, and don’t try to repair a damaged one with glue.
Bring the guard to dental visits and call if it stops fitting comfortably. New or lost teeth, fillings and braces can all change the fit. Its age matters less than whether it still sits properly.
Patient information: Fraser Health — choosing and caring for sports mouthguards
Parents ask about casual play, comfort, cleaning and lost guards. Fit reviews help answer several of these at once.
Contact our Bronte Street practice to talk through sports protection for your child. Bring their current guard, a list of the activities they enjoy, and any news about braces or recent dental changes.
Each child’s guard type, fit, timing and replacement is discussed individually. Injuries still need assessment even when a guard was in.
