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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Children’s Sports Mouthguards in Selkirk
Hockey, soccer, lacrosse or baseball? Selkirk parents can ask about custom-fitted sports mouthguards for children at our Port Dover dental office.
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Serving patients from Selkirk at our Port Dover office
See every service for Selkirk patientsReady for the season
A well-fitted guard protects a growing smile on the field.
Falls, sticks, balls and collisions can chip, loosen or knock out teeth during sport. A mouthguard helps cushion impact and protect teeth, lips and gums. For children, the fit needs extra attention, because teeth are still coming in and a guard that feels bulky or loose is often left in the bag.
Selkirk families can visit our Port Dover office to discuss which type of mouthguard suits a child’s sport, age and dental development. The team can explain what a custom guard involves, how often it may need replacing as the child grows, and how to care for it between practices and games.
Why fit matters
A guard only helps if your child will actually wear it.
Off-the-shelf versus custom
Stock and boil-and-bite mouthguards are widely available, and any guard is better than none. However, a poor fit can make breathing and speaking harder, and children may chew on or remove a guard that feels uncomfortable. A custom guard is made from impressions or scans of the teeth and is designed to fit more closely and comfortably.
Growth and changing teeth
Children lose baby teeth and gain new ones, sometimes quite quickly. A guard that fit well at the start of the season may become tight or loose later. If your child wears braces or other appliances, mention it, as the guard design may need to account for them. The dentist can advise how often refitting may be needed.
Getting fitted
The process is usually straightforward for children.
Impressions or scans
At the first appointment, the dentist checks the teeth and takes impressions or scans to create the guard. Let the team know the sport your child plays and the level of contact involved. The guard’s thickness and design may differ depending on the activity. Some children find impressions strange, so a brief explanation beforehand often helps.
Collecting and checking the guard
When the guard is ready, the dentist checks how it fits and how your child can breathe and speak while wearing it. Your child should be able to close comfortably. Ask the team to show both of you how to put it in, take it out and clean it. Any sore spots should be reported so adjustments can be considered.
Care and storage
Good habits keep the guard hygienic and intact.
Cleaning after every use
Rinse the guard after each use and clean it as instructed, then let it dry before storing. Avoid hot water, which can distort the shape. Encourage your child not to chew on the guard or share it with teammates. Children who brush before practice may find the guard stays fresher and their teeth feel cleaner.
Storing it safely
Keep the guard in a ventilated case rather than loose in a sports bag, and never leave it in a hot car or in direct sun. Pets may chew guards left out at home. Bring the guard to dental checkups so it can be inspected. Cracks, thin areas or a loose fit mean it may need replacing.
If an injury happens
Mouthguards reduce risk but cannot remove it entirely.
What to do at the rink or field
If a tooth is chipped, loosened or knocked out during play, stay calm and check for other injuries. A knocked-out permanent tooth needs urgent attention, while a knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back. Serious head injury, breathing difficulty or heavy bleeding requires emergency medical care before any dental visit is arranged.
When to call the office
Call our Port Dover office promptly after a dental injury to describe what happened and ask how soon your child should be seen. Even if a tooth looks fine, a hard knock can affect the nerve or root. Follow-up appointments may be recommended to monitor the tooth over time, and the guard may need replacing too.
Planning your appointment
Arranging a mouthguard fitting from Selkirk.
Contact our Port Dover office before the season begins so there is time for the guard to be made. Mention your child’s sport, age and any braces or recent dental changes.
Bring any current mouthguard so the dentist can compare fit, and ask about replacement timing as your child continues to grow.
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
Sports mouthguard questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
Does my child really need a custom guard?
Any well-fitting guard is better than none. A custom guard is designed to fit more closely and comfortably, which may make children more willing to wear it. The dentist can discuss the options for your child’s sport and age.
How often should a child’s guard be replaced?
It depends on growth, tooth changes and wear. Some children need a new guard more often during periods of rapid change. Bring the guard to checkups so the fit can be reviewed and replacement suggested when needed.
Can my child wear a guard with braces?
Often yes, but the design may need to account for brackets and wires. Let the team know about braces or other appliances so they can discuss a suitable option and coordinate with the orthodontist if appropriate.
What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?
For a permanent tooth, seek urgent dental advice right away and handle the tooth by the crown. Do not replant a baby tooth. Seek emergency medical care first for serious head injury, heavy bleeding or breathing difficulty.
How do I clean a sports mouthguard?
Rinse it after every use, clean it as directed and let it dry before storing in a ventilated case. Avoid hot water and direct sunlight, which can warp the material. Replace it if it becomes cracked or loose.
Protection and injury care for kids
Children’s Dentistry →Sports Guards →
A well-fitted sports guard helps protect teeth during hockey, rugby, basketball and more. Selkirk athletes can be fitted for a custom guard in Port Dover.
Emergency Dental Care for Children →
A child’s toothache, knocked tooth or facial swelling can be frightening. Selkirk parents can learn what to do first and when to call our Port Dover office.