One child plays rep hockey, another does taekwondo, and the youngest has just joined soccer. Each needs a mouthguard that suits their own teeth and sport. We can review the whole family’s guards, sort out who needs what, and plan rechecks as each smile changes.
In a busy household, mouthguards have a way of multiplying and getting mixed up. One lives in the hockey bag, one in a backpack, one in the car door. Sooner or later someone grabs the wrong one. Each child’s guard needs to match that child’s teeth and activity, and those change at different speeds.
It can help to plan a single conversation about everyone. Bring each child’s current guard, labelled, and a quick list: who plays what, whose teeth are loose, who has new adult molars, and who is starting braces. If you are coming from Brampton, booking siblings back to back may make the trip easier.
Each child still gets their own say. An older sibling may happily wear a guard a younger one finds bulky or hard to talk through. We listen to each of them, because the guard that works is the one they agree to keep in.
Guards that fit in the spring may not fit in the fall. Look at each child’s guard before their season and whenever one of them mentions a problem.
Martial arts, hockey, basketball and soccer each bring their own mix of contact, falls and equipment. List every activity for every child, organised or casual. Ask the dentist how a guard works with the helmets, face protection and rules each sport uses.
If one child says their guard slides around, rubs or makes breathing hard, take it seriously even when a sibling has no trouble. Bring the guard for a fit review instead of cutting it at home, and let that child know speaking up was right.
A seven-year-old losing front teeth and a twelve-year-old with new braces have very different fit questions. Let the clinician know where each child is in tooth development and orthodontic care, and ask when each guard should be looked at again.
Any blow to the mouth may need checking, whichever child it is and whether or not their guard was in. A guard reduces the chance of injury; it does not confirm there was none.
Sports mouthguards that fit well help lower the risk of injury to teeth and nearby soft tissue. Custom-fitted guards are something the Canadian Dental Association suggests families think about. For any child, the guard needs to stay in position through play to be useful, which is why fit is individual.
Keep expectations realistic. A guard sits alongside helmets, face cages, safe-play rules and medical assessment after a suspected head injury; it replaces none of them. It is not a concussion shield, and it cannot guarantee that teeth won’t be injured.
Patient information: Canadian Dental Association — preventing sports-related oral injuries
The clinician considers each child’s teeth, bite and any appliances rather than assuming an age group or a sibling’s guard is a good guide. Ask how fit will be confirmed and what a suitable guard should feel like, and encourage each child to describe theirs.
Trying a new guard calmly, before practice, lets a child learn to put it in, remove it and store it in their own case. Ask questions at that point. Ongoing discomfort is worth mentioning, never something a child has to endure.
With more than one child, someone’s teeth are almost always changing. Ask which signs should prompt a visit and bring guards to everyone’s dental appointments. The goal is that each child has suitable protection at the stage they are at.
Raise this before the busiest part of the season. How long it takes depends on the guards chosen, and assessment visits do not produce guards on the spot.
Share each child’s sports, levels, existing equipment, past injuries and any orthodontic plans, and bring their current guards. If one child struggles with things in their mouth, mention it so their visit can be handled accordingly.
The clinician checks each child’s teeth, bite, eruption and appliances, then compares custom and retail guards for that child. Ask about the number of visits, cost and expected replacement for each before deciding.
For a custom guard, records of the child’s teeth are taken by whatever method the clinician arranges. A strong gag reflex or sensory issue is useful to know in advance. Ask when each guard will be ready and whether fittings are included.
At the fitting we check that the guard stays in and that your child can breathe and speak with it. They practise handling it, and we go over cleaning and storage. Labelled cases help. Ask about follow-up and what to do if a guard tears or stops fitting.
Follow the care instructions for each guard. Younger children usually need a parent to keep the cleaning and storage routine on track.
Rinse and clean each guard as directed with products suited to its material. Let it dry, then store it in that child’s own vented case. Keep all of them away from heat, including a hot car, since high temperatures can distort the shape.
Look for tears, worn or chewed areas, warping and rough edges. Encourage children to wear their guards rather than chew them between plays. Siblings and teammates should never swap, and damaged guards should not be glued.
Bring guards to dental visits and call sooner if one no longer seats comfortably. New teeth, lost teeth, restorations and braces each affect fit. How long ago a guard was made won’t tell you whether it still fits.
Patient information: Fraser Health — choosing and caring for sports mouthguards
Parents with several children ask about sharing, scheduling, cleaning and replacing lost guards. Each child’s fit needs its own review.
Contact our Bronte Street practice to plan mouthguard visits for your children. Bring each child’s current guard, a list of who plays what, and any notes on braces, appliances or recent dental changes.
Each sibling gets their own discussion of guard style, fit, timeline and replacement. Any child hurt during play should be checked, whether their guard was in or not.
