Between about six and twelve, teeth come and go on their own schedule, often in the middle of a season. We help you choose a sports mouthguard that suits a mixed set of baby and adult teeth, check it as gaps open and fill, and keep your child comfortable enough to wear it.
Picture an eight-year-old who lost a front tooth on Tuesday and has a game on Saturday. The guard went in easily last month. Now there is a gap, a wobbly neighbour, and an adult tooth just breaking through. Mouthguards for children in this mixed stage need more attention than adult ones.
For families from Georgetown, the simplest step is to bring the guard and your child together. We can see how it sits against the teeth that are there today. Tell us which teeth have come out recently, which feel loose, and whether braces or an appliance are being discussed, along with any past injury to the mouth.
Children are often the first to notice a change. Ask yours whether the guard now presses on one spot, wiggles, or feels strange when they talk. A small complaint can be an early sign that the fit needs another look.
A guard may fit in September and not in November. Plan a check before the season, and come back whenever teeth fall out or arrive.
Whatever your child plays, from house-league soccer to hockey to gymnastics, describe it to the dentist, along with less formal activities. Ask how a guard works alongside their helmet, face protection and the safety rules for that activity.
A guard that pushes on a wobbly tooth, rubs over a new one or no longer stays up needs reviewing. Resist the urge to trim it, and reassure your child that pointing it out is helpful.
As permanent teeth erupt and baby teeth are lost, the shape the guard has to hold keeps shifting. If braces or another appliance are planned, mention it, and ask the clinician how often the guard should be checked during this stage.
If your child takes a blow to the mouth, an injury assessment may still be needed, especially with loose or newly erupted teeth. A guard reduces risk; it doesn’t rule out damage.
A well-fitted sports mouthguard helps reduce the risk of injury to teeth and the surrounding soft tissue. Custom-fitted guards are among the options the Canadian Dental Association suggests considering. During the mixed-teeth years, a guard that stays in position is especially dependent on regular fit checks.
Even the best-fitting guard has limits. It works with, not instead of, a helmet, face protection, rules of play and medical assessment after a suspected head injury. Treat any suggestion that it prevents concussion or every dental injury with caution.
Patient information: Canadian Dental Association — preventing sports-related oral injuries
The clinician looks at which teeth are present, how they meet and any appliance, rather than going by age. Ask how the fit will be checked around gaps and new teeth, and invite your child to describe how it feels.
When a guard is new or refitted, practising at the clinic lets your child get used to inserting, removing and storing it. Ask your questions there. If something presses or rubs, report it rather than waiting for it to settle.
With teeth changing often, ask which signs should prompt a visit and bring the guard to every dental appointment. The aim is protection that suits each phase of tooth development, not making one guard last regardless of fit.
Start before the season if you can. How long it takes depends on the guard selected, and an assessment visit does not mean the guard is ready that day.
Tell us the sport, age group, gear, past injuries and any orthodontic plans, plus which teeth have recently come out or come in. Bring the current guard. Mention any difficulty your child has with things in the mouth.
The clinician checks primary and permanent teeth, the bite, eruption and any appliances, then explains how custom and retail guards compare at this stage. Ask about visits, cost and how often replacement may be needed while teeth are changing.
Custom guards are built from records of the teeth, taken in the way the clinician arranges. Let us know beforehand about gagging or sensory concerns. Ask when the guard will be ready and whether a fitting visit is included.
At delivery we check how well it stays in place and how your child breathes and speaks with it. They practise handling it, and we go over cleaning and storage. Agree on a recheck date and on which changes, such as a lost tooth or a torn edge, mean calling sooner.
Follow the instructions for the material and design of your child’s guard. Younger children generally need a parent’s help with the routine.
Rinse and clean the guard as directed, using products suited to its material. Let it dry, then keep it in a vented protective case. Avoid heat; leaving it in a warm car can change its shape.
Check for tears, worn patches, warping and rough edges. Children in this age group often chew their guards, so encourage proper wear instead. Keep it to one child, and replace a damaged guard rather than gluing it.
Bring the guard to dental visits, and call sooner when a tooth falls out or a new one arrives and the guard no longer seats comfortably. Fillings and braces matter too. A guard’s age says less than its current fit.
Patient information: Fraser Health — choosing and caring for sports mouthguards
Parents ask about loose teeth, new teeth, cleaning and lost guards. Many answers come down to a quick fit check.
Call our Bronte Street practice to arrange a mouthguard visit. Bring the guard your child uses now, a list of their sports, and details about recent tooth changes or any orthodontic plans.
Guard type, fit, timing and replacement are discussed for each child individually. Any injury still needs assessment, even with a guard in.
