LifeCare Dental

Perth City

9221 2777

Kingsway

9409 3619

Mouthguards

The best way to protect your teeth from damage

Essential mouth protection

Wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard is the best way to protect your teeth against damage. They may be worn during the day to protect teeth and braces during contact sports, or at night to prevent damage from teeth grinding.

At LifeCare Dental, we provide custom mouth guards for people of all ages. Our dentists will take a mould of your mouth to make sure you get a perfect fit.

Dental Crowns and Bridges

Preferred Providers

Health Funds

What type of mouth guard do you need?

Depending on your situation, we may recommend that you wear one of the following types of dental mouthguards:

Sports mouth guards

(Athletic mouthguards) cover the upper teeth and are worn while playing sports that can put your teeth at risk of injury, such as rugby, football and hockey. Sports mouthguards can also be worn with braces and aligners.

Bruxism mouth guards

(Night Splints) are worn at night if you have the habit of grinding your teeth (bruxism). They may only cover the upper teeth or both upper and lower teeth. If you have severe bruxism, your mouthguard needs to be made of a stronger and thicker material to make sure your teeth will be protected.

How are mouth guards made?

To make sure your mouthguard is comfortable and offers all the protection you need, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth using soft putty. Your custom-fitted mouthguard will then be produced in our lab, made from strong acrylic that conforms exactly to the shape of your mouth.

The thickness of your mouthguard depends on its purpose. For most bruxism cases, a thin mouthguard may be all that’s needed. However, if your teeth grinding is causing damage to your teeth and putting a strain on your jaw, you’ll need a thicker mouthguard. Sports mouth guards are also made from thicker acrylic to offer maximum protection.

Dental Crowns and Bridges

What are the benefits of custom-fitted mouth guards?

Custom mouth guards don’t lose their shape over time, offering long-term protection for your teeth. They prevent your teeth from moving and are designed to be comfortable for as long as you need to wear them.

Wearing a bruxism night splint prevents your teeth from grinding together at night. A mouthguard can reduce pain and discomfort in your mouth and jaws, reduce strain on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and even stop your bruxism over time.

Your dentist will advise you how long you need to wear your mouthguard for and how to keep it clean and hygienic between uses.

Custom-fitted mouthguards versus over-the-counter mouthguards

Sports mouthguards can be bought off the shelf, but as these are not designed to fit your mouth, they are less comfortable to wear and offers less protection against injuries. They can even cause damage to your teeth if you wear them for longer than recommended.

Wearing a store-bought mouthguard can also cause difficulty speaking or breathing, which isn’t the case for custom-fitted splints. They are also much less durable, losing their shape over time and needing to be replaced sooner.

Over-the-counter mouthguards can’t be worn with braces and aren’t suitable for wearing at night. If you need a night splint for bruxism, this needs to be custom-fitted by your dentist.

The content on the LifeCare Dental website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice received from your dentist, doctor or other registered health professionals. LifeCare Dental makes no claim as to the accuracy or authenticity of this content.

Additionally, LifeCare Dental does not accept liability to any person for the information or advice provided on this website or incorporated into it by reference. Content has been prepared for Western Australian residents and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

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Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't have all the required information to complete a form?

If you do not have all the required information such as a Medicare card number, you will need to contact your practice's administration staff in-person or by calling them on 9221 2777 (Perth City) 9409 3619 (Kingsway) so they can advise you of how to proceed.

What if I don't know how to get the information I need?

If you're unsure how to get the information you need to complete the form, you will need to contact your practice's administration staff in-person or by calling them on 9221 2777 (Perth City) or 9409 3619 (Kingsway) so they can advise you of how to proceed.

Why can’t I submit my form?

There may be outstanding required fields that you need to answer before submitting your form. You should see each field that requires an answer in a red box at the bottom of your form. Once you have answered all fields, if a signature is required, you must sign your signature electronically using your mouse or fingers in the box provided.

If you are still unable to complete the form, you can fill out the form on paper at the clinic before your appointment.

I’ve already submitted this form, do I need to do it again?

If you have already submitted this form to your practice, you do not need to complete the form again. If you're unsure whether the practice received your form submission, we suggest contacting the practice directly by calling them on 9221 2777 (Perth City) 9409 3619 (Kingsway) to ask them directly.

Still have more questions?
Contact our reception team for more information
9221 2777 (Perth City)
9409 3619 (Kingsway)