Individuals participating in sports with a high risk of tooth injury turn to sportsguards for safety. Mouthguards are available in a range of options, with custom and chemist or sports mouthguards emerging as two popular options. The availability of multiple choices often leaves athletes in uncertainty regarding which one to choose and why.
Upon a closer examination, what our sight catches is the difference in the buyer’s mentality that drives the purchase decision: impulsive athletes go for chemist or sports mouthguards, whereas fastidious sportspeople opt for custom-made mouthguards.
This difference in choice raises a question: what sets both mouthguards apart from each other?
The blog offers answers to this question in great detail. It offers an objective comparison between the two types of mouthguards, explaining the benefits and limitations of each option. With this crucial information in mind, athletes can smartly choose between the mouthguards based on what aligns with their needs.
Why Mouthguard Choice Matters More For Athletes?
For athletes, making the right choice of dental mouthguards is paramount. When worn during sports, the continuous application of force due to clenching, pressurized contact with teeth, and accidental blows places greater demands on this protective device.
An ill-fitted mouthguard, or one with substandard composition, may displace during high-momentum sports, causing breathing problems or irritation, which can wreak havoc on their performance. Whether it is a training session or a competition. Therefore, it is crucial to use oral mouthguards that properly mold the dental profile of athletes, stay in place, and evenly distribute the shock and impact to prevent any significant injury.
As an athlete, you may come across a range of mouthguards, but you must prioritise one that balances between fit and safety. Not one that just appeals to the eyes but lacks proper functionality.
Chemist & Sports Mouthguards
Chemist Warehouse mouthguards are designed to offer basic protection to teeth, and are easily available at sports goods stores or chemist stores. Rebel Sport mouthguards are a typical member of this category. From a composition standpoint, they are made of thermoplastic materials that soften in hot water. This flexible composition leads to offering a rough fit to the teeth, making these mouthguards a good choice for impulsive athletes, those who pay less attention to durability, and a perfect fit. What makes them a more desirable choice is their convenient usage and immediate availability.
Common Reasons Why Athletes Choose Chemist Mouthguards
1- Low Upfront Cost:
Chemist mouthguards are available at an affordable cost, making them a good option for beginners who are on a tight budget. These mouthguards come in a price range of AUD $7— AUD $55+.
2- Immediate Availability:
These mouthguards can be purchased on the spot by just visiting a chemist’s store or sports goods shop, without appointments.
3- No Professional Assessment Required:
Athletes can easily mold them at home and use them, which makes them a good option for those who prefer convenience.
Limitations of Chemist Warehouse Mouthguards
1- Fit and Comfort Problems:
These mouthguards offer an approximate fit, which often gets loosened during intense physical activity. Moreover, their bulky construction may cause breathing or speaking issues when they undergo a slight shift from their original position.
2- Durability & Wear:
Featuring thermoplastic in their composition, these mouthguards may wear out fast. Over time, their grip is reduced, which lessens protection and causes discomfort.
3- Compromised safety:
The biggest downside of this mouthguard is its inability to evenly distribute the impact of force across the jaw and teeth. It leads to reduced protection and elevates the chances of injury.
What is a Custom Dentist-Fitted Mouthguard?
A custom dentist-fitted mouthguard is precisely engineered to align with the dental profile of the athlete. It provides a precise fit, excellent protection, and comfort, making it an ideal option for sportspeople who place a premium on safety. Besides athletes, individuals with frequent teeth grinding habits or patients wearing braces can wear custom mouthguards. Unlike retail mouthguards, they are not readily available; athletes have to visit a clinic for the fabrication of custom mouthguards.
How Custom Mouthguards Are Made.
1- Dental Assessment:
Fabrication of custom mouthguards starts with the assessment of your dental profile. Impressions are taken to determine which type and size of mouthguard suits you.
2- Laboratory Fabrication:
Based upon impressions, bite size, and dental profile, the laboratorian creates the mouthguard using high-end materials such as acrylic resins and copolymers.
Reasons Why Athletes Choose Custom Mouthguards
1- Regular Sports Participants:
Individuals who frequently partake in high-intensity sports and games that include direct impact, such as MMA, Karate, and boxing. Customised mouthguards shield the teeth from potential injuries and blows— the credit goes to their ability to distribute the impact of the shock evenly. They are more costly than a normal pharmacist guard, available within the price range of AUD $150—$400.
2- Individuals who are habitual grinders or clinchers:
Besides sportsmen, people who are given to grinding or clinching at night are advised to use custom mouthguards. A typical example of this category is bruxism mouthguards. Wearing this dental piece eliminates the process of teeth chipping away as a result of grinding, thereby preserving the structure. It is also known as the mouthguard for grinding teeth.
3- Patients who have undergone dental restorations:
Patients wearing braces, crowns, implants, and other restorations may benefit from these oral mouthguards in terms of proper accommodation.
A Comparison Between Custom vs. Chemist Warehouse Mouthguards
| Feature | Chemist / Sports Mouthguards | Custom Dentist-Fitted Mouthguards |
| Availability | Over-the-counter at chemists & sports stores | Dental clinic only |
| Fit & Comfort | Approximate fit; may loosen | Precise, secure fit |
| Protection Level | Basic protection | High-level impact protection |
| Durability | Lower; wears out faster | Long-lasting |
| Cost (AUD) | $7 – $55+ | $150 – $400 |
| Best Suited For | Beginners, casual athletes | Regular athletes, grinders, braces/restorations |
Which One Is Better For Athletes?
After thoroughly evaluating the upsides and limitations of either, we will go with custom-fitted mouthguards. The reasons behind preferring custom-fitted oral guards over pharmacist guards are several, which include:
1- They provide a precise fit that aligns with the dental profile of the sportsperson, maintaining comfort throughout the game.
2- Offers high-end protection against tooth injuries and soft tissue cuts by properly distributing the shock impact across the teeth and jaw.
3- These mouthguards offer exceptional durability and withstand heavy and repeated impact during intense activity.
So, the final verdict goes in favour of custom-fitted mouthguards. Although custom-fitted mouthguards come at a higher pricepoint, their durability and superior fit make them a worthwhile investment in the long run.
Children’s Mouthguards for Sports:
In Australia, kids 9-12 years old have begun to participate in high physical-contact sports like MMA and boxing. Without proper safety, their teeth can be damaged that are under development. Injury during the growth process can disrupt the dental profile of teeth in the future, causing more complications. It is, therefore, advised to parents that children’s mouthguards should be purchased from a pharmacy or sports shop.
How Ezy Dental helps you choose the right mouthguard?
Choosing the right mouthguard isn’t about picking one that is readily available; rather, it is about choosing one that aligns with your dental profile and your sport requirements.
Ezy Dental assists in clinical assessment and guides towards personalised recommendations. Our professionals look into your dental profile, bite size, and grinding frequency to determine whether a chemist oral mouthguard or a custom-fitted mouthguard.
Besides mouthguard recommendations, we also offer proven tips to maintain the effectiveness and comfort of mouthguards over time.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the difference between a custom mouthguard and a sports mouthguard?
Ans: A custom mouthguard is professionally fitted to your teeth, offering superior protection and comfort, whereas a sports mouthguard (including chemist or over-the-counter options) provides a generic fit that may not fully protect against impact. Brands like Shock Doctor mouthguards, Rebel mouthguards, and Rhino mouthguards offer sports versions, but they can’t match the precise fit of a custom solution.
How do you mold a mouthguard at home?
Ans: Molding a mouthguard at home is usually required for boil-and-bite types sold in stores or chemists. The process involves softening the mouthguard in hot water, then biting down to shape it around your teeth. While Polident retainer and mouthguard products often provide home-molding instructions, a professionally made custom mouthguard ensures a perfect fit without trial and error.
How do you clean a mouthguard?
Ans:To clean a mouthguard, rinse it with cool or lukewarm water immediately after use to remove saliva and debris. Gently brush it with a soft toothbrush and mild soap or non-abrasive toothpaste, then rinse thoroughly. Allow the mouthguard to air-dry completely and store it in a ventilated case to prevent bacterial buildup.
Where can you buy a mouthguard?
Ans: You can buy a mouthguard from pharmacies and sporting goods stores, where over-the-counter and boil-and-bite options are widely available. Online retailers also offer a range of sports mouthguards from well-known brands. For the best fit and protection, dentists provide custom-fitted mouthguards tailored to your teeth.
Are custom mouthguards better than Rebel or Rhino mouthguards for sports?
Ans: Yes. Custom mouthguards are designed specifically for your teeth, offering maximum protection, comfort, and durability during high-impact activities. While Rebel mouthguards and Rhino mouthguards provide affordable sports protection, they lack the tailored fit and long-term safety of a dentist-made custom mouthguard.
Can I use a Polident retainer and mouthguard together for protection?
Ans: Polident retainer and mouthguard products are primarily for cleaning and maintaining oral appliances. While they don’t replace a mouthguard, they can be used to care for your custom mouthguard, keeping it hygienic and extending its lifespan.
Why choose a custom mouthguard over an off-the-shelf sports mouthguard?
Ans: Custom mouthguards are molded specifically to your teeth, offering better protection against dental injuries, improved comfort, and enhanced durability. Generic options like Shock Doctor mouthguards or standard sports mouthguards may be convenient, but they often compromise on fit and safety.
Final Words
So, finally, the debate between custom-fitted mouthguards vs sports mouthguards is settled. If you engage in high-impact sports like MMA and boxing, custom oral mouthguards are worthy of investment. On the other hand, if you focus on convenience, Chemist Warehouse mouthguards emerge as a solid option to go with.