20 Mar Mouthguard Warning for Junior Footy and Rugby Seasons
Mouthguards are crucial for kids in sport to protect their teeth, jaw, and soft tissues
With 100,000 sport-related concussions occurring in Australia each year, parents and young athletes are being urged to prioritise mouthguard protection as the 2025 junior and amateur AFL and rugby seasons kick off. Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard can significantly reduce the risk of serious head and oral injuries.
Research shows that in youth Rugby League, one concussion occurs every 5.7 games. Meanwhile, the Australian Dental Association reports that nearly 40% of dental injuries are sports-related—yet only 36% of Australians wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports.
Dr Cathryn Madden, a leading sports dentist, stresses that a well-fitted mouthguard is a player’s best defence against injuries such as broken jaws, fractured teeth, and even lacerated tongues, which can occur during unexpected impacts.
“While over-the-counter boil-and-bite mouthguards offer some level of protection, they are more prone to dislodging and may not cover all essential areas. This increases the risk of serious injury,” Dr Madden explains.
“A custom-made mouthguard, designed to fit a player’s unique mouth shape, provides superior protection during both games and training sessions—giving players confidence on the field and parents peace of mind from the sidelines.”
Mouthguards can be custom-fitted by dental professionals with a simple scan or impression, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit. Many clinics also offer the option to customise colours to match a player’s team.
“Once you have your mouthguard sorted, you can focus on the game and enjoy the many physical and mental benefits of community sport,” Dr Madden, Head Dentist at Bupa Dental says.
Mouthguards are mandatory for registered players in some sports,including basketball, hockey, football, boxing, wrestling, martial arts, lacrosse, and netball.
