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 Vanessa
Hockey, soccer or riding? A well-fitted mouthguard helps protect a child’s teeth. Vanessa families can ask about custom guards and fit at our Port Dover office.
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 Vanessa and nearby farm families at our Port Dover office
See every dental service for VanessaProtect the game-day smile
A mouthguard that fits well is one a child will actually wear.
Falls, collisions, sticks and balls can chip or knock out teeth in an instant. A mouthguard cushions those impacts and helps protect lips and cheeks too. The trouble is that bulky or loose guards often end up in a pocket instead of in the mouth, which is why fit and comfort matter so much for children.
Whether your child plays hockey at a nearby arena, soccer on a weekend field or rides horses on the farm roads around Vanessa, our Port Dover office can talk through mouthguard options. The dentist also considers growing teeth and any braces when recommending which guard makes sense.
Who needs one
More activities carry dental risk than parents expect.
Contact and collision sports
Hockey, football, lacrosse, rugby and martial arts are obvious candidates. Basketball, soccer and baseball also lead to plenty of mouth injuries through elbows, heads and stray balls. Even if a league does not require one, a guard is worth considering for any sport where falls or contact are a regular part of play, including practices as well as games.
Activities people overlook
Skateboarding, biking, trampolining and horseback riding can all bring a sudden fall onto the face. Children with braces, protruding front teeth or previous dental injuries may be at higher risk of damage. Mention your child’s activities at their checkup so the dentist can give advice suited to them, rather than assuming a guard only matters for hockey.
Guard options
Different guards offer different fit and comfort.
Store-bought and boil-and-bite guards
Ready-made and boil-and-bite guards are widely available and far better than nothing. However, they can be loose, bulky or hard to talk and breathe through, and children may chew or trim them until they no longer protect much. If you use one, check that it covers the teeth well and replace it when it is torn or no longer fits snugly.
Custom-made guards
A custom guard is made from impressions or a scan of your child’s teeth, so it can be thinner where possible and stays in place more securely. Many children find it easier to wear for a whole game or practice. Because children grow quickly, the dentist will explain how often a custom guard may need to be remade as teeth change.
Getting fitted
Making a custom guard is usually straightforward.
Taking the impression
At the first appointment the dentist checks your child’s teeth and takes an impression or digital scan. If braces are present or teeth are shifting, that is taken into account in the design. Mention the sport and any colour or style preference too, since a guard your child actually likes is far more likely to be worn every time.
Checking the finished guard
When the guard is ready, the dentist checks that it seats properly, does not press on the gums and allows comfortable breathing. Your child should practise speaking and drinking with it in before a game. If anything feels tight or rubs, adjustments can be made in the office before the guard goes onto the field or ice.
Care and replacement
A cared-for guard lasts longer and stays hygienic.
Cleaning and storage
Rinse the guard after each use, brush it gently with cool water and let it air dry in a ventilated case. Keep it out of hot cars and away from family dogs, which love to chew them. Do not let siblings share guards, and bring the guard along to checkups so the dentist can look it over for wear and fit.
Signs it needs replacing
Replace a guard that is cracked, thin, chewed or loose. Growth spurts, newly erupted teeth and orthodontic changes can all affect fit, sometimes within a single season. If your child complains that it hurts or keeps falling out, have it checked rather than letting them play without any protection until the next scheduled visit comes up.
Planning your appointment
Fitting a guard for a Vanessa athlete
Call our Port Dover office to ask about a custom mouthguard. Mention your child’s sport, when the season starts and whether they wear braces, so the team can plan the timing of each visit.
If your child has had a mouth injury in the past, let the dentist know so it can be considered when designing the guard.
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.
Can my child wear a mouthguard with braces?
Yes, and it is especially important, since brackets can cut the lips and cheeks during an impact. The dentist can discuss a guard design that accommodates braces, and it may need adjusting or replacing as the teeth move through treatment.
How often should a child’s guard be replaced?
It depends on growth and wear. Many growing children need a new guard every season or so, and sometimes sooner during a growth spurt. Replace it right away if it is damaged, loose or uncomfortable, rather than waiting for the season to end.
Is a custom guard better than a store guard?
A custom guard usually fits more closely and comfortably, which helps children keep it in through a whole game. A store guard can still offer some protection if it fits well. The dentist can help you weigh the options for your child’s sport and age.
What if a tooth gets knocked out during a game?
For an adult tooth, pick it up by the crown, rinse briefly if dirty and try to place it back in the socket or keep it in milk. Call the dental office right away. Baby teeth are not put back, but the child should still be seen promptly.
Should younger children wear guards?
If they play sports with contact or frequent falls, a guard is worth discussing even at a young age. The dentist will consider the mix of baby and adult teeth and recommend an option that suits your child’s stage of development.
Related protection for young athletes
Children’s Dentistry →Sports Guards →
A well-fitted sports guard helps protect teeth, lips and jaws during play. Vanessa athletes of any age can learn about custom guards, fit, care and replacement.
Emergency Dental Care for Children →
A child’s toothache, fall or knocked-out tooth can rattle any parent. Vanessa families can learn what to do first and when to call our Port Dover office.