Found last year’s mouthguard at the bottom of the hockey bag? Before your child pops it back in, have it looked at. Teeth move, fall out and arrive between seasons, and a guard that once fit well may now press, slip or get in the way of breathing and speech.
It usually happens the night before the first practice. The equipment comes out of the basement, and there is the mouthguard from last winter, a little chewed and slightly stiff. It looks fine. Whether it still fits is a different question, because a child’s mouth can change a lot in twelve months.
Our Bronte Street practice sits just outside Milton’s historic downtown, so bringing that guard in for a look is an easy errand. Hand it over along with a short history: which baby teeth have come out since it was made, which adult teeth have arrived, any falls or knocks, and whether braces are on the horizon.
Then we ask your child. Does it wobble when they run? Do they bite hard to keep it up? Can they shout to a teammate? Kids often stop wearing a guard without telling anyone, and their honest answers tell us more than the plastic does.
A guard can look intact and still be wrong for the mouth it is in. Check it before play resumes, and speak up when something feels different partway through.
Driveway ball hockey, skateboarding and backyard tackle games can lead to mouth injuries too. Tell the dentist about every activity your child enjoys, organised or not, and ask how a guard works with the helmet, face protection and rules each one already involves.
Constant clenching, rubbing at the gums, or a guard that drops when your child talks all point to a fit problem. Bring it in rather than shaving the edges with scissors. Make it clear to your child that reporting it will not get them in trouble.
Wiggly primary teeth, adult teeth breaking through and orthodontic shifting all alter the shape a guard must hold. Let the clinician know about planned braces or appliance adjustments, and ask how soon the guard should be reviewed afterwards.
A knock to the mouth may still need an injury check, guard or no guard. Wearing one reduces the chance of damage but cannot confirm that teeth and tissues escaped harm.
When a sports mouthguard fits well, it helps cut the risk of harm to teeth and the soft tissue around them. The Canadian Dental Association recommends that families consider custom-fitted guards, largely because protection depends on the guard staying in position for the length of play.
That said, it is not the only safety measure, and it is not a promise. A guard cannot do the work of a helmet, a cage or visor, sensible rules, or a doctor’s assessment after a possible head injury. Be wary of anyone who presents it as concussion prevention.
Patient information: Canadian Dental Association — preventing sports-related oral injuries
Age ranges on packaging are a rough guess. The clinician looks at the actual teeth, how they meet and any appliance in place. Ask what fit checks will be done and what your child should feel when it is right, then let your child weigh in.
Practising with a new guard in a quiet room helps your child learn how it goes in, how it comes out and where it lives between uses. Questions are easier to ask there than on a crowded bench. Persistent discomfort is a reason to call.
A younger athlete’s teeth rarely stay the same for long. Ask which changes are worth a visit and bring the guard to routine checkups. Aim for protection that fits each stage instead of making one guard last at all costs.
Leave some time before the season to sort this out. How long it takes depends on the guard you choose, and the first visit does not come with an instant guard.
We ask about the sport, the age group, the gear your child wears, past injuries and any orthodontic treatment. Last season’s guard is useful here. Let us know if your child struggles with things in the mouth so we can take that into account.
The clinician checks the teeth, the bite, any erupting teeth and appliances, then explains how a custom guard differs from what is sold in stores for a child like yours. Ask about visits, cost and likely replacement before you decide.
Making a custom guard needs records of the teeth, taken by the method the clinician arranges. Warn us beforehand about a strong gag or sensory concerns. Ask roughly when it will be ready and whether a separate fitting is planned.
When it arrives, we check that it stays in place and that your child can breathe and speak comfortably. They practise putting it in and taking it out while you review cleaning and storage. Ask about follow-up, and what to do if it tears or a new tooth changes the fit.
Follow the care directions for the material your child’s guard is made from. Plan on supervising for a while until your child handles it reliably.
After each use, rinse and clean it as instructed with products that suit the material. Let it dry fully before it goes into a ventilated case. Heat is the enemy: a sunny dashboard or hot car can change its shape.
Look for splits, worn patches, warping and edges that have turned sharp or scratchy. Remind your child that the guard is for wearing, not for chewing on between shifts. Keep it personal, and replace damaged material rather than gluing it.
Pack the guard for dental visits and call earlier if it no longer clicks into place comfortably. Lost or new teeth, fillings and braces can all change the fit. How it sits today matters more than how old it is.
Patient information: Fraser Health — choosing and caring for sports mouthguards
Most questions are about growth, cleaning and lost or worn guards. It also helps to know when to bring the guard back for another look.
Call our Bronte Street practice to set up a mouthguard review. Pack your child’s current guard, a list of their sports and activities, and any details about upcoming orthodontic work or recent dental changes.
Each child’s guard type, fit, timeline and replacement plan is discussed individually. A dental injury still needs assessment even when a guard was worn.
