A custom mouthguard is made from moulds of your own teeth, so it fits closely and stays in place. At Magical Smiles Point Cook we make sports mouthguards for contact sport, night guards for grinding and clenching, and guards sized for children. Everything happens at 220 Point Cook Road. Book online or call (03) 8338 1515.
Knocked-out and chipped teeth are some of the most avoidable injuries we see. Fixing one can involve several appointments, a crown or an implant, and ongoing care, while a well-fitted guard costs far less than any of that.
Victoria's Better Health Channel names sport, leisure and recreation as the most common cause of dental injuries. About 2,000 dental injuries were treated in Victorian hospital emergency departments between 2002 and 2004, with people under 25 most at risk (71%). Sports such as football, boxing, basketball, netball, cricket, hockey and soccer account for up to 14% of dental injuries, and cycling, skateboarding and scooter accidents for about 44%.
Grinding at night works more quietly. Most people don't realise they're doing it until their teeth become sensitive, the enamel flattens or a filling cracks. A night guard takes that pressure off your teeth while you sleep. It's more common than you might think: Better Health Channel says about half of the population grinds from time to time, and around 5% grind their teeth regularly.
We'll work out which one suits you, or your child, at the appointment. Here's a quick guide to start with.
Mouthguards are part of our general dentistry care, and the teeth underneath still need regular attention, from a routine clean (ask whether air polishing suits you) to deep cleaning when gums need it.
01 / For contact sport
Made for footy, rugby, hockey, basketball, netball, boxing, martial arts and any sport where knocks happen. We choose the thickness and layering to suit how you play.
Because it's shaped to your teeth, a custom guard doesn't need to be held in by clenching, and you can still breathe, drink and call out to teammates.
02 / While you sleep
Plenty of people grind or clench in their sleep without knowing. A night guard (also called an occlusal splint) puts a protective layer between your teeth, helps with morning jaw tightness and protects crowns and fillings.
We take moulds of your bite so the guard is slim, sits comfortably and stays in place through the night.
03 / For growing smiles
Kids' teeth and jaws keep changing as adult teeth come through, so a guard that fitted in autumn may not fit by spring. We check the fit each season and remake it when it's outgrown.
The appointment is quick and relaxed, and letting children pick their own colour goes a long way towards getting them to wear it every game.
Someone in your family plays contact sport
Footy, rugby league or union, hockey, netball, soccer, basketball, boxing, wrestling or martial arts: wherever players collide or balls fly, teeth are at risk.
You wake with a tight jaw or a headache
Aching jaw muscles in the morning, sore temples or a partner who hears grinding are common clues that you could benefit from a night guard.
You've invested in crowns, veneers or implants
A guard made for your mouth protects that dental work more closely than a one-size-fits-all product.
Your old guard feels loose
Guards wear down, and children outgrow them. If yours is loose, split or over a year old, it's worth a fit check.
You gave up on a guard because it felt awful
That's usually a chemist boil-and-bite guard. One made from moulds of your teeth feels very different, and comfort is what keeps it in your mouth.
Weekend sport is a big part of growing up, and a mouthguard is one of the simplest ways to protect young teeth. Dental organisations recommend a properly fitted guard for anyone playing contact sport, children included.
We keep things easy for kids. Taking moulds is quick and doesn't hurt, and many children have chosen their colour before we've even started.
A mouthguard left at the bottom of the kit bag protects nobody. These are the reasons a fitted one tends to stay in.
Made from accurate moulds, it grips your teeth securely, so you don't have to bite down to keep it in place.
A slimmer, closer fit leaves room to breathe and speak, which makes it easier to keep in for a full match.
We ask what you play and how often, then choose a thickness that suits social games through to competition.
Crowns, veneers and implants take real force from knocks and night grinding. A fitted guard spreads that load.
Made from durable laboratory material and checked at your regular visits, so you know when it's time for a new one.
Rinse it, brush it gently and keep it in its case. We'll show you how before you take it home.
Two short visits and a stop at the lab in between. Here's each step.
Which sport, how much contact, and whether you have crowns, braces or other dental work. Children are included in the conversation too.
We take accurate impressions of your upper and lower teeth. It only takes a few minutes, and nervous kids can go at their own pace.
Your moulds are sent to a dental laboratory where the guard is made. We'll let you know when to expect it when you book.
At a quick second visit we check how it sits, how it feels and that you can speak and breathe easily. Minor adjustments are made there and then.
We explain cleaning and storage, how long it's likely to last and when to have it checked, especially for growing children.
Book a moulding appointment online, or call us first if you have questions about which guard to choose.
Book a fitting (03) 8338 1515Two quick visits at our Point Cook clinic and you'll have a guard made for your teeth. Book online or give us a call; you don't need a referral. We're open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.