Local community sports are back, and we are so here for it! The fresh air, the exercise, the sportsmanship, it's wholesome and a great way to spend a weekend.

Mouthguards are compulsory in most contact sports, but no matter how big (or small) you are, if you’ve played a contact sport, you’ll have been constantly reminded to wear your mouthguard.

So why are mouthguards so important?

A mouthguard’s main job is to protect teeth from being damaged. Mouthguards help reduce instances of, broken, or chipped teeth, fractured crowns, root damage, and bridgework, saving you from a trip to the dentist or even worse, the hospital.

But mouthguards can also protect against cheek, tongue or lip damage, concussion, and fractured jaws. They can also prevent injuries to the other player's head, elbow, or whichever body part may have collided with you.

Mouthguards are made from soft plastic or laminate which means they absorb some of the impact when an accident occurs. They also work by spreading the impact of the hit out, which helps to reduce the entire blow from one individual tooth1.

Choosing the right mouthguard

The best way to ensure you have the correct mouthguard is to have one fitted and custom-made to your mouth by a dentist or orthodontist.

A dentist will take impressions of your mouth and teeth to create a guard that perfectly fits your mouth, teeth, and gums, providing ultimate protection. The process is very simple, moulds are taken of both upper and lower teeth. They will be sent to the dental laboratory where a technician will fabricate your custom-made guard2.

For children, mouthguards should be replaced and re-moulded every 18-24 months due to the jaw growing and new teeth development. Adult mouthguards will last quite a while so long as there is no visible damage.

You can use your private health insurance to help reduce the cost of your custom-made mouthguard. Boil and Bite (store-bought) mouthguards are less effective because they are more of a one-size fits all product, they don’t consider the anatomy of the individual’s jaw.

Take good care of your guard!

Taking good care of your mouthguard is vital, not only for longevity and continued use, but also for good oral hygiene. Be sure to follow these two steps when caring for your mouthguard.

1- Ensure your mouthguard is kept dry and clean in between uses by storing it in a sturdy container with ventilation (custom mouthguards will come in a case).

2- Rinse the mouthguard before and after each use, using a toothbrush & toothpaste to clean it after use.

Professionally fitted mouthguards are covered in Latrobe Health Services extras products that include general dental cover. We pay an $80 rebate for mouthguards fitted by a dentist. To find out more or get Extras with Latrobe Health Services, head over to over cover selector. Or check your cover and benefits limits by logging into the Latrobe Health Services App or on our website.