Mouthguard use remains low in Australian contact sport despite the risk of dental injuries, with dentists warning that many players - especially children - start the season without proper protection.
Bupa data shows only 36% of Australians wear a mouthguard during games, with even fewer using one at training. Dental practitioners said that gap can leave players exposed to avoidable injuries, particularly early in the season when old or poorly fitting mouthguards are still being used.
“Kids’ mouths grow and change quickly, which means a mouthguard that fitted last season may not offer the protection parents assume it does. Too often dentists see preventable injuries occur early in the season or at training, when mouthguards are forgotten or a poorly fitting one shifts on impact, leaving teeth, jaws and soft tissue exposed,” said Mark Dohlad, principal dental officer at Bupa Dental.
Government data cited by Bupa shows collisions and falls account for 66% of sports injury hospitalisations, while 19% of participants report being injured while playing sport. Contact-heavy codes such as AFL and rugby record more than double the hospitalisation rate of other recreational activities.
Dohlad said injuries linked to impact in these sports can include fractured teeth, broken jaws, and cuts to the tongue or cheek caused by accidental biting.
“While over-the-counter ‘boil and bite’ mouthguards are better than nothing, they simply don’t provide the same level of coverage or stability,” he said. “They’re more likely to loosen or fall out during play, particularly in fast-moving sports like football, rugby or basketball.”
He said the issue is not limited to match day, with mouthguard use also dropping during training even though contact still occurs.
“Professionally fitted mouthguards are designed around a player’s individual bite by a dentist, helping them stay firmly in place during both games and training. That fit and quality makes a real difference to confidence on the field and gives parents peace of mind knowing their child has appropriate protection, not just something that looks like protection,” Dohlad said, adding that the fitting process usually begins with a short visit for a scan or impression, followed by a second appointment to check that the mouthguard fits securely.
“Getting fitted is simple, painless and starts with a short visit for a scan or impression, kids can choose their team colours and a follow-up appointment ensures the mouthguard fits comfortably and securely… Once that’s taken care of, players can just focus on enjoying the game!”
