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Mouthguards and splints in Kallangur, Moreton Bay

Custom Mouthguards
Kallangur

Custom mouthguards made for your teeth, not a shelf

A custom mouthguard is made from a mould or scan of your own teeth, so it sits snugly, stays put when you take a hit and lets you breathe and call for the ball. As your local mouthguard dentist in Kallangur, our team fits sports mouthguards for kids and adults playing rugby league, AFL, netball, hockey and martial arts around Moreton Bay, and makes custom splints for people who clench or grind their teeth at night.

Made from an impression or scan of your own bite
Sports mouthguards for kids and adults, plus night splints

Book an Appointment (07) 3886 0933

New patients welcome

New to Kallangur Dental?

Book our new patient offer today to receive:

Comprehensive oral examination
Removal of calculus - first appointment
2 bitewing X-rays (if required)
Topical remineralisation (fluoride)
Oral cancer screening
Treatment planning

Book New Patient Offer (07) 3886 0933

*Terms, conditions and item codes apply. Please contact us for full details.

$199 Check-Up, Clean and X-Rays Select “New Patient Offer” when booking.

Accredited & compliant

Render of a custom sports mouthguard over the upper teeth, as made at Kallangur Dental Surgery

The basics

What are mouthguards and splints?

A sports mouthguard is a soft, layered appliance that covers the upper teeth and gums. When a ball, elbow or the ground connects with your face, it spreads and softens the force so the teeth, lips and jaw take less of it.

A splint, often called a night guard, does a different job. It is a thinner, harder custom-made appliance, usually clear, that stops the top and bottom teeth grinding against each other while you sleep. Both are made to the shape of your mouth at our Anzac Avenue practice, which is why they fit well enough to actually be worn.

A footballer's hands holding two mouthguards side by side, a clear one and a navy and blue one, to compare them

Sports mouthguards

Custom made mouthguard or boil-and-bite?

Stock and boil-and-bite guards from the chemist or sports store cost less up front, and they are better than nothing. But they are made to fit an average mouth, so they are often bulky, slip when you breathe hard and get chewed or cut down until they no longer cover the teeth they are meant to protect.

A custom made mouthguard is built for one person:

Shaped to your teeth and gums, so it clips on and stays on
Thinner where it can be, so talking and breathing are easier
Even thickness over the front teeth, where most knocks land
Suitable around braces or existing dental work when planned for it

Our team takes impressions of your bite, often with a digital scanner, so there is no mouthful of paste for younger players.

An adult patient holding her clear night guard and touching her sore jaw while the dentist explains how to wear it

Night guards

Night guard for clenching and grinding

Grinding the teeth while asleep, called bruxism, is common and often goes unnoticed until something hurts. Signs include sore jaw muscles first thing in the morning, headaches, neck or ear pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, and teeth that are chipped, cracked or worn flat. A partner may hear it before you feel it.

A custom splint keeps the teeth apart overnight and protects the enamel from further wear. Our dentists can also show you jaw exercises that ease tension. Stress often plays a part, so if it seems to be driving the grinding we may suggest talking to your GP as well. If you wake with jaw pain or headaches most mornings, call us on (07) 3886 0933 for an assessment. See our teeth grinding page for more.

A rinsed sports mouthguard drying on its vented case beside a soft toothbrush on a kitchen bench

Care guide

Looking after your mouthguard between games

A mouthguard that lives in the bottom of a kit bag does not last long. A few habits keep it clean and in shape:

Rinse it in cool water after every game or training session
Brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap, not hot water
Let it dry in a vented case, never in a sealed plastic bag
Keep it out of the car on hot Queensland days, as heat warps it
Do not chew it, or use it to hold your drink bottle lid
Bring it to your check-up so we can look at the fit and wear

A girl in the dental chair holding her new pink mouthguard while the dentist compares it with her old worn one and her mum watches

Mouthguards for kids

Mouthguards for kids and when to replace them

Children's mouths change quickly. Baby teeth are lost, adult teeth arrive and jaws grow, so a guard that fitted in February can be loose by the following season. For most kids and teens, a new mouthguard each year, or whenever it feels loose or has been bitten through, keeps the protection working.

Adults usually get longer out of a custom guard, but it should still be replaced if it is worn, split or no longer clips on firmly, or after major dental work such as a crown or orthodontic treatment. Book before the season starts so there is time for the guard to be made before the first game. If a tooth is knocked out or broken on the field, see our emergency dentist page and call us straight away.

Related care

More ways we protect your smile

A mouthguard protects healthy teeth. These services help keep them that way, for players of every age.

Check-up and clean

Bring your guard to your six-monthly visit and we will check its fit and condition.

Learn more

Fissure sealants

A thin coating over the grooves of back teeth that helps young players avoid cavities.

Learn more

Emergency dentist

Knocked-out or broken tooth at training? Call us and we will prioritise getting you seen.

Learn more

Teeth grinding

Worn teeth, jaw pain or morning headaches can point to grinding, which a night splint may help.

Learn more

Good to know

Custom Mouthguards - frequently asked

How much does a custom mouthguard cost?

The cost depends on the type of guard, for example a single-layer junior guard or a thicker guard for contact sport, or a night splint. We will give you the price at your appointment before anything is made. A custom guard is a small outlay compared with the cost of repairing or replacing a broken front tooth.

Are custom mouthguards better than boil-and-bite?

For most players, yes. A custom guard is made to the exact shape of your teeth, so it stays in place, is thinner and easier to talk and breathe through, and covers the teeth evenly. Boil-and-bite guards are cheaper and quicker to buy, but they are often loose or bulky, and players tend to chew or trim them until they protect far less.

How long does a custom mouthguard take to make?

The impression or scan takes only a short visit. The guard is then made to that model and is usually ready to collect in around one to two weeks, so it is worth booking a few weeks before the season starts.

Do health funds cover mouthguards?

Many extras policies include a rebate for custom mouthguards and splints, though the amount depends on your fund and level of cover. We are a preferred provider for Medibank, HCF, Bupa and Westfund, and accept all other funds through HICAPS, so your rebate can be claimed on the spot.

How often should kids replace a mouthguard?

Usually every season, or sooner if it becomes loose, split or chewed. Children's teeth and jaws change as they grow, so a guard that fitted last year may not protect properly now. We can check the fit at each check-up.

Can I wear a mouthguard with braces?

Yes, and it matters even more with braces, because a knock can push the brackets into the lips and cheeks. Let us know about the braces so the guard can be made to allow for them and for the teeth moving.

Your next step

Get fitted before the season starts

A custom mouthguard needs one short visit for the impression, and it is ready soon after. Book a fitting for yourself, your kids or the whole team at our Kallangur practice.

Book an Appointment (07) 3886 0933