Patient video
Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.
★★★★★
Port Dover Family Dentistry
Children’s Sports Mouthguards in Cultus
Young athletes from Cultus can be fitted for a custom sports mouthguard in Port Dover. Learn about fit, growth changes and caring for a guard between games.
New patients welcomeCDCP accepted
Let’s get you smiling
Book an appointment
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Caring for Cultus patients at our office in Port Dover
Browse every dental service for CultusGame-day protection
A mouthguard that fits well is one your child will actually wear.
Hockey, soccer, baseball, basketball and even backyard games can lead to knocks to the face. A properly fitted mouthguard helps cushion the teeth, lips and jaw from impact. The challenge with children is that their mouths keep changing, so fit and comfort need checking as they grow.
Families from Cultus can arrange a custom mouthguard fitting at our Port Dover office. We take impressions or scans of your child’s teeth, discuss the sports they play and talk about how the guard should feel, so it stays in place without making breathing or talking difficult.
Why custom fit
Fit affects both protection and willingness to wear it.
Comfort encourages regular use
Stock and boil-and-bite mouthguards are widely available, but they can feel bulky or loose. Children who find a guard uncomfortable often take it out during play. A custom guard is shaped to your child’s teeth, which can make it easier to breathe, speak to teammates and keep it in place for the whole game. That consistency is where most of the protection comes from.
Allowing for growing mouths
Children lose baby teeth and gain adult teeth over several years, and the jaw grows too. The dentist will consider which teeth are coming in and may design the guard to allow for some change. Expect that a growing child will likely need a new guard periodically as their mouth develops. Checking fit at each checkup makes that easy to judge.
The fitting
Making a guard usually involves two short steps.
Impressions or scans of the teeth
At the first visit, the dentist checks your child’s teeth and takes impressions or a digital scan. Mention the sport, the position your child plays and whether they wear braces or have loose teeth. These factors can influence the thickness and design recommended for their particular level of activity. A goalie and a fielder may need quite different guards.
Trying the guard and checking comfort
When the guard is ready, your child tries it in. The team checks that it sits securely, covers the right teeth and does not press uncomfortably on the gums. Ask your child to talk and take a few breaths with it in place so any problems can be noticed and adjusted before the next practice.
Wearing it properly
Consistent use matters most.
Every practice and every game
Encourage your child to wear the guard at practices as well as games, since many injuries happen during drills and warm-ups. Keep the case in their sports bag so it is always on hand. Coaches and teammates who wear guards consistently can make it feel like a normal part of the gear. Letting your child pick the colour can help too.
Signs the guard needs attention
If the guard feels loose, causes rubbing or your child starts chewing it, bring it in for a check. Holes, tears or thin spots reduce protection. A guard that no longer fits because new teeth have come in should be replaced rather than trimmed at home, which may weaken it. Bring the old guard along when you come for a new one.
Care and injuries
Good habits keep the guard clean and ready.
Cleaning and storing the guard
Rinse the guard with cool water after each use and brush it gently. Let it dry in a ventilated case and keep it away from hot cars and direct sunlight, which can warp the material. Avoid sharing guards between siblings, and bring it to checkups so the dentist can look at its condition. A clean case matters as much as a clean guard.
What to do after a dental injury
Even with a guard, injuries can happen. If a tooth is chipped, loosened or knocked out, contact the dental office promptly. For a knocked-out adult tooth, handle it by the crown and seek care right away. Any head injury with confusion or vomiting needs medical attention first. Keep the office number saved in your phone for game days.
Planning your appointment
Fitting appointments for Cultus families
Call our Port Dover office to arrange a mouthguard fitting, ideally before the season starts. Let the team know which sports your child plays and whether they have braces or loose teeth.
Bring your child’s current mouthguard if they have one. It helps the dentist understand what has or has not worked comfortably for them in the past.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
Mouthguard questions from parents
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
Which sports need a mouthguard?
Any sport with a risk of falls, contact or flying equipment can benefit, including hockey, football, lacrosse, soccer, basketball and baseball. Ask the dentist about your child’s specific activities and level of play, including casual games outdoors.
How often will my child need a new guard?
It depends on growth, wear and changes in their teeth. Growing children may need a replacement more often than adults. Bring the guard to checkups so the dentist can let you know when it no longer fits well.
Can my child wear a mouthguard with braces?
Yes, but the design may need to account for brackets and tooth movement. Mention braces when booking so the dentist can discuss a suitable option and coordinate with your child’s orthodontic treatment so the guard fits as teeth move.
Is a custom guard more comfortable than a store-bought one?
Many children find a custom guard easier to wear because it is shaped to their teeth and tends to feel less bulky. Comfort varies, so the dentist will check the fit and make adjustments if needed.
What if my child loses their guard?
Contact the office. It may be possible to make a new one from existing records if your child’s teeth have not changed much, though a fresh impression or scan is often recommended for growing children.
Protection and injury care for kids
Children’s Dentistry →Sports Guards →
A custom sports guard helps protect teeth and lips during contact and recreational sports. Cultus athletes can learn about fitting, comfort and care of a guard.
Emergency Dental Care for Children →
When a child has a dental injury or sudden toothache, knowing what to do helps. Cultus parents can learn first steps and when to call our Port Dover office.