By Dr Elizabeth Crake
From the rugby pitches at school to weekend hockey and the buzz of tennis season around SW19, Wimbledon is a wonderfully sporty place to grow up. But active children are also at real risk of a knock to the mouth, and a single collision can chip, loosen or knock out a tooth in an instant. A well-fitted sports mouthguard is one of the simplest, most effective ways to protect your young athlete's smile. Here's what every parent needs to know.
Why young athletes need a mouthguard
Children's faces and teeth take the brunt of many sporting accidents. A blow to the mouth can do far more than bruise a lip: it can fracture or knock out a tooth, cut the gums and lips, or even injure the jaw. The Oral Health Foundation recommends wearing a mouthguard for any sport that carries a risk of contact, a hard ball or a fall.
Dental injuries in childhood matter especially because a damaged adult tooth has to last a lifetime. A knocked-out front tooth in a ten-year-old can mean decades of repeated dental work, repairs, crowns and sometimes root canal treatment down the line. A mouthguard that costs a fraction of that treatment is one of the best-value pieces of kit in your child's sports bag.
Which sports call for a mouthguard?
Any activity where there's a chance of a clash of heads, a stray elbow, a fast-moving ball or a tumble is worth protecting against. Common examples include:
- Rugby, football and hockey, staples of school sport across Merton
- Basketball, netball and handball, accidental elbows and head clashes are common
- Boxing, martial arts and other combat sports
- Cricket, particularly when batting or keeping wicket
- Skateboarding, BMX and rollerblading, popular on the paths around Wimbledon Common
If your child plays anything with the potential for impact, the safest assumption is that they should wear a guard.
Tennis fever brings extra activity every summer. As the Championships draw crowds to SW19, plenty of local children pick up a racket, and head out onto the courts, the Common and the parks. Whatever the sport, we can take a quick mould for a custom mouthguard at a routine appointment in Wimbledon Village, so your young athlete is protected before the season gets going.
Custom-made versus shop-bought guards
You'll find "boil-and-bite" mouthguards in most sports shops, and they are certainly better than no protection at all. But they have real drawbacks for growing children: they often fit loosely, feel bulky, make it hard to breathe and talk, and tend to be spat out or left at home. A custom-made guard is taken from a precise mould of your child's teeth, so it fits snugly, stays in place and is comfortable enough that they'll actually keep it in.
| Type | Fit & comfort | Level of protection |
|---|---|---|
| Stock (ready-made) | Poor, one-size-fits-all, bulky | Limited |
| Boil-and-bite (self-moulded) | Moderate, can loosen over time | Moderate |
| Custom-made (dentist-fitted) | Excellent, moulded to the teeth | Best available |
For a child who plays regularly, a custom guard made by our team is the option we'd encourage, it's the comfiest to wear, and comfort is what keeps it in the mouth where it belongs. You can read more about routine and preventive care on our general and family dentistry page.
Get a custom mouthguard fitted in Wimbledon Village
Dr Elizabeth Crake and the team at The Dental Lounges Wimbledon can take a quick, comfortable mould and fit a guard tailored to your child.
Book an appointment Family dentistryCaring for a mouthguard (and when to replace it)
A mouthguard only works if it's clean and in good shape. A few simple habits keep it doing its job:
- Rinse it in cool water before and after every use
- Clean it gently with a toothbrush and a little toothpaste or mild soap
- Store it in a firm, ventilated case, never loose in a kit bag
- Keep it cool. Hot water and hot car boots can warp the shape
- Bring it along to dental check-ups so we can inspect the fit
Because a child's mouth is still growing and adult teeth are still coming through, their guard won't last as long as an adult's. Many children need a new one each season or once a year. We'll check the fit at routine visits and let you know when it's time for a fresh one. While we're at it, a hygienist visit helps keep those hard-working teeth in top condition.
What to do if a tooth is knocked out
Even with the best protection, accidents happen. If an adult tooth is knocked out, stay calm and act quickly, the first hour matters most. Hold the tooth by the crown (never the root), and if it's dirty, lick it clean or rinse it briefly in milk. If you can, gently place it back in the socket and bite on a clean cloth. If not, keep it in a cup of milk and head straight to a dentist. Our emergency dental service in Wimbledon is here for exactly these moments, and the friendly team at The Dental Lounges is always happy to advise.
Frequently asked questions
A mouthguard is recommended for any sport with a risk of contact, a flying ball or a fall, including rugby, hockey, football, basketball, boxing, martial arts, cricket (when batting or keeping wicket) and skateboarding. The Oral Health Foundation advises wearing one for all collision and contact sports to help protect the teeth, lips and jaw.
No. Stock and "boil-and-bite" guards from sports shops are better than nothing, but they tend to fit loosely, fall out and feel bulky, which puts children off wearing them. A custom-made mouthguard is taken from a precise mould of your child's teeth, so it fits snugly, stays put and is more comfortable, meaning it is far more likely to be worn.
Because children's mouths are still growing and adult teeth are still coming through, a child's mouthguard usually needs replacing more often than an adult's, frequently each season or once a year. We check the fit at routine appointments and let you know when a new one is due.
