Guard What Matters — On the Field and While You Sleep

A custom mouthguard is made from a precise impression of your teeth, so it fits securely without needing to bite down to hold it in place. The material thickness is even across impact zones, which means consistent shock absorption where it matters. You can breathe normally, speak clearly, and drink water without removing it.

A boil-and-bite guard relies on you biting into heated plastic to create a rough mould. The boiling process stretches the material, which thins it at the very points where impact is most likely. The fit is looser, which can restrict breathing and — in rare cases — allow the guard to dislodge during play. The Australian Dental Association does not recommend boil-and-bite guards for competitive or contact sport.

Australian Dental Association — Sports Mouthguards (opens in a new tab)

They serve different purposes and are made differently. A sports mouthguard is designed to absorb sudden impact — a ball to the face, an elbow, a fall. It is thicker, softer, and built to distribute force across the jaw. A night guard (occlusal splint) is designed for sustained grinding pressure over hours of sleep. Depending on severity, it may be a soft cushioning guard or a hard acrylic splint that protects tooth surfaces and stabilises your bite.

Using a sports guard for grinding — or a night guard for sport — would not provide the right type of protection. Your dentist can advise which is appropriate based on your situation.

In Queensland, mouthguards are mandatory for school-level contact sports including rugby league, rugby union, AFL, hockey, water polo, and boxing. The Australian Dental Association and Sports Medicine Australia jointly support a “No Mouthguard, No Play” policy across all age groups and competition levels.

Mouthguards are also strongly recommended for basketball, netball, cricket, skateboarding, cycling, and martial arts — sports where facial impact is common even though a guard may not be formally required by the league.

Sports Medicine Australia — Mouthguard Policy (opens in a new tab)

Custom sports mouthguards start from $250 at Joyner Family Dental. This includes the assessment, impression, laboratory fabrication, fitting appointment, and your choice of colours. Eligible school-aged children with health fund extras cover may receive their guard at no out-of-pocket cost through our No Gap offer.

Custom night guards for teeth grinding start from $300 for a soft guard, with hard acrylic splints for more significant grinding from $500. Your dentist will recommend the appropriate type based on your assessment and provide a written quote before proceeding.

For context, a single knocked-out or cracked tooth can require root canal treatment, a crown, or an implant — often running into thousands of dollars over a lifetime. A custom mouthguard or night guard is a fraction of that cost.

Yes. Custom mouthguards can be designed to fit over orthodontic brackets and wires without restricting tooth movement or damaging the hardware. This is one of the key reasons a custom guard is recommended over a store-bought one for children with braces — boil-and-bite guards cannot safely accommodate orthodontic work and may cause bracket breakage or soft tissue injury.

Because orthodontic treatment changes tooth position over time, the mouthguard may need to be re-fitted or replaced as treatment progresses. Your dentist can advise on timing.

For adults, a well-cared-for custom mouthguard typically lasts 12 months or more. Your dentist will check it at your regular appointments and recommend replacement if it shows signs of wear, thinning, or loss of fit.

For children and teenagers, a new mouthguard is generally needed every sporting season. Growing jaws and erupting teeth change the fit quickly, and a guard that no longer fits properly may not provide adequate protection.

Many people grind without realising it, particularly during sleep. Common signs include waking with a sore jaw or headache, increased tooth sensitivity, visibly flattened or chipped teeth, unexplained damage to fillings or crowns, and jaw clicking or stiffness. A partner who hears grinding at night is often the first to notice.

Daytime clenching is also common — you might catch yourself tensing your jaw when stressed or concentrating. If any of these sound familiar, a dental assessment can help identify whether grinding is occurring and what management options may be appropriate.

Healthdirect Australia — Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) (opens in a new tab)

Grinding generates forces well beyond normal chewing. Over time, this sustained pressure can wear through enamel, crack teeth, destroy existing dental work like fillings and crowns, and contribute to gum recession. The jaw joint (TMJ) may also be affected, leading to chronic pain, clicking, or difficulty opening your mouth fully.

The progression is often gradual — a small chip becomes a cracked filling, a cracked filling becomes a crown replacement. Early identification and a custom night guard may help reduce the risk of cumulative damage, which can be significantly more costly to treat than the guard itself.

Better Health Channel — Teeth Grinding (opens in a new tab)

Two appointments, usually a few days to a week apart. The first appointment takes around 20 minutes — your dentist checks your teeth and takes an impression or digital scan. The impression is sent to a dental laboratory where your guard is custom-fabricated. At the second appointment, the finished guard is fitted and adjusted.

If you are booking ahead of sports season, plan for at least a week between your first visit and game day to allow for lab turnaround. During peak season (February to April), booking early helps ensure your guard is ready in time.

Most private health funds with extras cover provide rebates for custom mouthguards and night guards. The amount varies depending on your fund and level of cover. Joyner Family Dental processes all major health funds on the spot via HICAPS, so you pay only the gap at the time of your visit.

For school-aged children with health fund extras cover, a No Gap arrangement may mean no out-of-pocket cost at all. If you are unsure what your policy covers, call the practice before your appointment and the reception team can check your remaining benefits.

Services Australia — Private health insurance dental coverage (opens in a new tab)