As children move up to faster, more physical levels of play, they also start managing their own gear. We help preteens and teens choose a sports mouthguard that fits, feels manageable and suits braces or new molars, and we hand them the know-how to look after it.
Somewhere around the preteen years, two things change at once. Play gets quicker and more physical, and parents stop packing the bag. That makes it a natural point to look again at the mouthguard, and to make sure your child understands why it matters and how to manage it alone.
Encourage your preteen or teen to lead part of the conversation. They can tell us which sports they play and at what level, what they like or dislike about the current guard, and whether they have had braces put on, new molars arrive, or any earlier injury to the mouth. Parents fill in the rest.
Older children are often more self-conscious, too. A guard that looks bulky, affects how they sound or feels awkward in front of teammates is easy to leave in a pocket. Talking through those concerns honestly is part of finding something they will use. Households across Caledon can ask for a visit that covers all of this at once.
The guard that suited a younger player may not keep up. Review it before tryouts and whenever teeth, braces or the sport itself change.
Body contact, checking, tackles and harder shots raise the stakes for the mouth, and so do activities like mountain biking or snowboarding. Discuss all of them with the dentist, and ask how a guard works alongside the helmet, face protection and rules at each level.
Teens may hide that a guard slips, rubs or makes it hard to breathe or speak. Ask privately, and bring it for assessment instead of cutting it at home. Make it clear that saying it doesn’t work is better than quietly not wearing it.
Orthodontic treatment, molars erupting at the back and changes in the jaw can all alter fit. Share the orthodontic timeline with the clinician, and ask whether the guard should allow for planned movement and when it should be rechecked.
Even with a guard in, a hit to the mouth may need an injury assessment. Protection reduces risk but cannot confirm that teeth and soft tissues escaped damage.
A properly fitted mouthguard helps reduce the risk of injury to the teeth and the surrounding soft tissue. Custom-fitted guards are an option the Canadian Dental Association encourages families to consider. For older players, a guard that stays seated during fast, physical play is better positioned to help.
It still has clear limits. A guard doesn’t stand in for a helmet, a cage or visor, sound rules or a medical check after a possible head injury. Be cautious of anyone suggesting it prevents concussion or rules out dental injury.
Patient information: Canadian Dental Association — preventing sports-related oral injuries
The clinician considers your teen’s teeth, bite and any appliance, not a size chart. Ask how fit will be checked and what the guard should feel like, and let your teen describe their experience in their own words.
A calm try-on lets your teen practise inserting, removing, cleaning and storing the guard without a parent doing it for them. Encourage them to ask their own questions, and to report discomfort rather than put up with it.
Growth and orthodontic treatment continue to change the fit. Ask which signs should prompt a visit, and remind your teen to bring the guard to dental appointments. The goal is protection that suits each stage.
Plan ahead of tryouts or the new season. Timing depends on the guard chosen, and an assessment doesn’t mean a guard is ready the same day.
We ask about the sport, level, existing gear, earlier injuries and orthodontic treatment, and what your teen thinks of the current guard. Bring it along. Let us know if they find things in the mouth hard to tolerate.
The clinician checks the teeth, bite, erupting molars and appliances, then explains how custom and retail guards differ for your teen. Ask about visits, cost and likely replacement, and let your teen weigh in on the choice.
If custom is chosen, records of the teeth are taken using the method the clinician arranges. Mention a strong gag reflex or sensory concerns beforehand. Ask how long it will take to make and whether a fitting appointment is part of it.
At the fitting we check that it stays in place and that your teen can breathe and speak with it. They practise handling it and learn cleaning and storage themselves. Agree on a review date, and on what to do about a tear, a braces adjustment or a change in fit.
Follow the directions for the specific guard. Check in now and then, even once your teen is managing it on their own.
Rinse and clean the guard after use as directed, with products suited to its material. Let it dry and store it in a ventilated protective case, not loose in a bag. Keep it away from heat, including a hot car.
Look for tears, worn spots, warping and sharp edges. Chewing on the guard between shifts wears it down, so encourage proper use. Don’t lend it to teammates, and don’t try to fix damaged material with glue.
Bring the guard to dental visits and call sooner if it stops fitting comfortably. Braces adjustments, erupting molars and new restorations can all change the fit. How it sits today matters more than its age.
Patient information: Fraser Health — choosing and caring for sports mouthguards
Common questions cover independence, braces, looks, cleaning and lost guards. Regular fit checks keep the answers current.
Contact our Bronte Street practice to plan a mouthguard visit. Ask your teen to bring their current guard and a list of their sports, and share details of braces or recent dental changes.
We discuss the guard type, fit, production time and when to replace it for each young player. An injury still needs assessment, with or without a guard.
