Sport Mouthguard Guide
There are many different types of mouthguards on the market, ranging from mouthguards that are purchased over the counter, to a mouthguard that is custom-made and professionally fitted. The Australian Dental Association recommends professionally fitted custom mouthguards, as over the counter mouthguards offer inadequate protection.

Putney Dental Care
Custom-fitted Mouthguards
Mouthguards that are custom fitted are made by a dentist using an impression of your teeth. Custom fitting a guard allows the dentist to accurately assess your mouth and provide the best fit, size, coverage and thickness that you will need for your mouthguard.
The dentist can also assess you for any risk factors and can recommend the best type of mouthguard for your sport.
These types of mouthguards are comfortable to wear because they allow you to talk, have maximum resistance against being dislodged and do not restrict your breathing.
Over-the-counter Mouthguards
These mouthguards are also known as boil and bite mouthguards. These mouthguards are self fitted by softening them in hot water, inserting them into the mouth and waiting for them to set. The Australian Dental Association doesn’t recommend these types of mouthguards as they are poor fitting, less comfortable to wear and offer insufficient protection from high impact sports.
Is Any Mouthguard Better Than None?
An over-the-counter mouthguard may be a good short-term solution if there are no other alternatives available at the time.
Putney Dental Care School Visits Have Your Chocolate and Eat It Too!Latest from the Dental Blog
11 Apr 2018
How often should I go to the Dentist?
Nothing holds truer than the adage “Prevention is better than cure” in the dental industry. But most of the time,…
24 May 2022
Tartar vs Plaque: What’s the Difference?
Plaque is the thin film that accumulates on your teeth every day after eating and drinking. If plaque is not…
19 Sep 2017
Dentist-Approved Diet That Keeps the Tooth Decay Away
It is common knowledge that consuming too much sugar is bad for the teeth. From the perspective of a dentist,…