Urgent warning to parents over cheap ‘boil and bite’ mouthguards

Experts are demanding mouthguards become mandatory in Victorian schools for students playing contact sports. Do you think a ‘no mouthguard, no play’ policy should be introduced? VOTE IN THE POLL

Experts are calling for mouthguards to become mandatory for Victorian students playing contact sports. Picture: Tony Gough

Experts are calling for mouthguards to become mandatory for Victorian students playing contact sports, warning a single hit without protection can lead to a “lifetime of treatment”.

It comes as dental professionals urge parents not to be fooled by cheap over-the-counter mouthguards that provide significantly less protection ahead of the football season.

Bupa Dental Head Dentist Dr Cathryn Madden said not wearing a mouthguard while playing contact sport could result in “traumatic injuries”.

“A mouthguard is there primarily to help absorb shocks to the face, which might otherwise result in chipped or broken teeth, tooth loss, and in severe cases, a broken jaw,” she said.

“A mouthguard acts to absorb and spread the impact of knocks or blows to the head and face, preventing injuries that can be both difficult and expensive to treat.”

Dr Madden said dental trauma could have significant and long-lasting functional, aesthetic and psychological effects on children.

“Injuries to the soft tissues can take a long time to heal and this may impact speech and eating during this time,” she said.

Dr Madden said mouthguards may also protect against concussion because they “reduce forces transmitted to the brain”, but further research is necessary.

She said mouthguards were “a must” for contact sports such as AFL and Rugby, and should be worn during training and on game day.

Dr Madden said mouthguards may also protect against concussion. Picture: Tony Gough

Only 36 per cent of Australians wear a mouthguard when playing contact sport, and even fewer wear a mouthguard during training, according to the Australian Dental Association.

This is despite Victorian junior and amateur players receiving an average of seven impacts per game, based on a HIT-IQ study of local football and rugby players during the 2023 season.

Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne’s Dental School Matt Hopcraft warned children were more likely to sustain injuries when wearing over-the-counter mouthguards, which are more likely to be dislodged during a game.

“Custom mouthguards are not only better in terms of protection, but also in terms of comfort and fit,” he said.

Boil-and-bite mouthguards can cost anywhere from $5 to $80, compared to custom-fitted mouthguards which average around $190 to $300.

Associate Prof Hopcraft called for mouthguards to be mandatory for Victorian school students playing contact sports.

In Victorian government schools, principals and teachers “must advise” parents and students of the benefits of mouthguards. But they are not mandatory.

“There really should be a no mouthguard no play policy,” he said.

He said mouthguards should also be included in the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, so parents were able to access rebates.

“It’s essential. It’s a really important call to action, ensuring people from low income households can still access a custom fitted mouthguard,” he said.

“We’re trying to encourage kids to get out there and be more active and play sport and we don’t want any barriers.”

Associate Prof Hopcraft called for mouthguards to be mandatory for Victorian school students playing contact sports. Picture: Jake Nowakowski.

Dr Reidar Lystad from Macquarie University’s Australian Institute of Health Innovation agreed mouthguards should be mandatory in schools for high level contact sports including football and rugby.

“I wish (it) was present when I went through high school because it might have prevented my own dental injuries. I had three front teeth knocked out and I’m still having dental treatment as a result,” he said.

Dr Lystad said some dental injuries required significant treatment, such as crowns or root canals, at a young age.

“These types of dental treatments can be tens and tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket,” he said.

Sports Medicine Australia chief executive Jamie Crain said many sporting codes and leagues already support the mandatory use of mouthguards.

“Taking to the field without a mouthguard exposes not only the player to the risk of serious injuries but also other players around them to potential cuts, bruises, and other complications from contact with exposed teeth,” he said.

Treasurer and coach at Surrey Park Junior Football Club Trevor Rowe said the club enforces a “no mouthguard, no play” policy for training and games, which he thinks should also be adopted in schools.

“We have a partnership with Sportsafe, they come to the club and fit players before the season begins. Last year we had over 100 kids fitted,” he said.

“Most kids need to get a new mouthguard every year – with baby teeth falling out and their mouth changing as they grow up.”

A spokesperson from the Education Department said: “Schools must advise parents of the benefits of wearing a mouthguard and take reasonable steps to ensure that students wear one when taking part in contact sports.”