Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I claim the mouthguard on my health insurance?
If you have Dental Extras as part of your health insurance you can claim one custom-fitted mouthguard per year. Health fund rebates differ, according to the level of cover taken out. As a guide rebates can range from $40 up to 80% of the mouthguard fee. You can call your private health fund for an accurate quote, identifying the item number 151 for a mouthguard.
My child’s teeth are growing / changing, should I get a custom-fitted mouthguard?
It is most important to protect your child's teeth as the ones that are growing down are the adult ones, and we only get one set of those. At Mouthguards Victoria we make allowances in the design of the mouthguard for obvious tooth movement. Your child will likely require a new mouthguard each year until they are approximately 16 years of age.
Can mouthguards be worn with orthodontics?
It is important to protect your teeth while having orthodontic treatment, i.e. fitted brackets and bands over your teeth. Your teeth will move during treatment, especially over a 12 month period. After 12 months it is often necessary to have a new mouthguard constructed. Please note that an additional fee is applicable to have this type of work done.
What happens if the mouthguard is lost?
Mouthguards Victoria supply a protective case with your custom made mouthguard for transportation. It is advisable to place your name and contact number on the box. Your dental models are supplied back to you, where we recommend you place them in a drawer at home. Subject to them not being damaged, we can remake the mouthguard at a reduced cost within a 3 month period- provided we do not have to retake your dental impressions.
How durable are mouthguards?
All mouthguards made at Mouthguards Victoria are done so using EVA mouthguard material which are manufactured to ISO 9002 Quality Assurance Standards and approved by the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA). For children between the ages of 6 and 16 they will often require a new mouthguard every year due to their teeth changing, alongside the bone in the mouth. At approximately 16 years of age the body has matured and dental growth has slowed which reduces the need to replace the mouthguard every year. It is then recommended to replace your mouthguard every 3 years subject to no major dental treatment e.g. new crowns, implants, or large fillings.
It is very important not to chew on your mouthguard as this will distort the shape making it uncomfortable, and in turn reducing the protection your mouthguard offers. Keep it in the protective case when you are not wearing it and out of direct sun light.
How do I clean my mouthguard?
After each use rinse your mouthguard in cold water. When you get home use your tooth brush to gently clean it with cool water to remove the saliva and any food debris. Do not use tooth paste or solvents which will abrade the material, and never use hot water which will distort the shape of the mouthguard. A quick rinse in a non alcoholic mouthwash will help improve the taste and smell of your mouthguard.
What's the difference between a health professional custom fitted mouthguard and a chemist/sports store boil and bite mouthguard?
The Dental Health Foundation and the Australian Dental Association strongly recommend the use of custom fitted mouthguards This involves the process of having dental impressions taken of your teeth, where a dental cast / mould is created. A professional, individually designed mouthguard can be manufactured to give you the best chance of your teeth and bones surviving a big hit by either another individual, or even a ball or stick.
A boil and bite mouthguard is not recommended. It is difficult to fit with a risk of burning your mouth, they can make you gag and are uncomfortable to wear. As they do not stay in place it makes it near impossible to talk and breathe. Players risk choking during sport as they do not fit well. Due to the spacing between the guard and the teeth, the teeth are more prevalent to be knocked out on impact.
What should I do if I receive a dental injury?
First aid for a damaged tooth
Wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard when training and playing in contact sports can help to protect your teeth against painful and potentially expensive dental injuries. If an accident occurs, however, and a tooth is damaged or knocked out, the following first aid steps should be followed:
If a tooth is cracked or chipped, see your dentist as soon as possible. If possible, place fragments in plastic wrap and take with you to the dentist.
Do not reinsert a primary ("baby") tooth. These teeth will come out eventually anyway. If, however, any pieces of the primary tooth remain seek urgent dental treatment to check for any further damage.
If a secondary ("adult") tooth is knocked out, remain calm and act quickly. Do the following, immediately:
Extreme care should be taken with a tooth that has been knocked out. Avoid the following:
If you have Dental Extras as part of your health insurance you can claim one custom-fitted mouthguard per year. Health fund rebates differ, according to the level of cover taken out. As a guide rebates can range from $40 up to 80% of the mouthguard fee. You can call your private health fund for an accurate quote, identifying the item number 151 for a mouthguard.
My child’s teeth are growing / changing, should I get a custom-fitted mouthguard?
It is most important to protect your child's teeth as the ones that are growing down are the adult ones, and we only get one set of those. At Mouthguards Victoria we make allowances in the design of the mouthguard for obvious tooth movement. Your child will likely require a new mouthguard each year until they are approximately 16 years of age.
Can mouthguards be worn with orthodontics?
It is important to protect your teeth while having orthodontic treatment, i.e. fitted brackets and bands over your teeth. Your teeth will move during treatment, especially over a 12 month period. After 12 months it is often necessary to have a new mouthguard constructed. Please note that an additional fee is applicable to have this type of work done.
What happens if the mouthguard is lost?
Mouthguards Victoria supply a protective case with your custom made mouthguard for transportation. It is advisable to place your name and contact number on the box. Your dental models are supplied back to you, where we recommend you place them in a drawer at home. Subject to them not being damaged, we can remake the mouthguard at a reduced cost within a 3 month period- provided we do not have to retake your dental impressions.
How durable are mouthguards?
All mouthguards made at Mouthguards Victoria are done so using EVA mouthguard material which are manufactured to ISO 9002 Quality Assurance Standards and approved by the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA). For children between the ages of 6 and 16 they will often require a new mouthguard every year due to their teeth changing, alongside the bone in the mouth. At approximately 16 years of age the body has matured and dental growth has slowed which reduces the need to replace the mouthguard every year. It is then recommended to replace your mouthguard every 3 years subject to no major dental treatment e.g. new crowns, implants, or large fillings.
It is very important not to chew on your mouthguard as this will distort the shape making it uncomfortable, and in turn reducing the protection your mouthguard offers. Keep it in the protective case when you are not wearing it and out of direct sun light.
How do I clean my mouthguard?
After each use rinse your mouthguard in cold water. When you get home use your tooth brush to gently clean it with cool water to remove the saliva and any food debris. Do not use tooth paste or solvents which will abrade the material, and never use hot water which will distort the shape of the mouthguard. A quick rinse in a non alcoholic mouthwash will help improve the taste and smell of your mouthguard.
What's the difference between a health professional custom fitted mouthguard and a chemist/sports store boil and bite mouthguard?
The Dental Health Foundation and the Australian Dental Association strongly recommend the use of custom fitted mouthguards This involves the process of having dental impressions taken of your teeth, where a dental cast / mould is created. A professional, individually designed mouthguard can be manufactured to give you the best chance of your teeth and bones surviving a big hit by either another individual, or even a ball or stick.
A boil and bite mouthguard is not recommended. It is difficult to fit with a risk of burning your mouth, they can make you gag and are uncomfortable to wear. As they do not stay in place it makes it near impossible to talk and breathe. Players risk choking during sport as they do not fit well. Due to the spacing between the guard and the teeth, the teeth are more prevalent to be knocked out on impact.
What should I do if I receive a dental injury?
First aid for a damaged tooth
Wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard when training and playing in contact sports can help to protect your teeth against painful and potentially expensive dental injuries. If an accident occurs, however, and a tooth is damaged or knocked out, the following first aid steps should be followed:
If a tooth is cracked or chipped, see your dentist as soon as possible. If possible, place fragments in plastic wrap and take with you to the dentist.
Do not reinsert a primary ("baby") tooth. These teeth will come out eventually anyway. If, however, any pieces of the primary tooth remain seek urgent dental treatment to check for any further damage.
If a secondary ("adult") tooth is knocked out, remain calm and act quickly. Do the following, immediately:
- Locate the tooth and, handling it gently by the crown, ensure it is clean. The crown is the smooth white part of the tooth that is normally visible in the mouth
- If the root of the tooth is dirty, and the patient is calm and conscious, ask them to gently suck the tooth clean. Alternatively, rinse the entire tooth in milk or, very briefly, in water
- Immediately place the tooth back in the socket, making sure it is facing the right way. Immediate replacement is essential and should occur within 5-10 minutes of the tooth being knocked out
- Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting gently into a soft cloth, or the person administering first aid can use aluminium foil placed over the tooth, and the teeth on either side, to stabilise the tooth
- If you are unable to replant the tooth back in the socket, keep it moist by putting it in a cup of milk , sealing it in plastic wrap or placing it in the conscious patient's mouth, inside their cheek
- Immediately seek dental treatment - time is critical to prevent permanent damage
Extreme care should be taken with a tooth that has been knocked out. Avoid the following:
- Do not handle the root of the tooth
- Do not scrape or rub the surface of the tooth
- Do not let the tooth dry out – keep it moist at all times
- Do not put the tooth in ice or hot water
- Avoid rinsing or storing the tooth in water for more than one or two seconds
- Do not remove any soft tissue fragments from the tooth
