Playing contact sport, or looking for better protection for your child’s teeth on the basketball court, soccer pitch, AFL oval, cricket pitch, or football field? St Ives Dental Group offers a custom-fitted mouthguard at our practice in St Ives Shopping Village, on Mona Vale Road, giving athletes and active families across St Ives and nearby suburbs like Pymble, Gordon and Turramurra a closer, more secure fit than store-bought options. St Ives is home to a large number of young families, children aged 0–14 make up around one in five residents* and for kids playing weekend contact sport, a properly fitted mouthguard is one of the simplest ways to help protect their teeth and reduce the risk of a dental injury. It’s a small step that can save a lot of stress, pain and cost down the track.

 

 

What Are Custom Sports Mouthguards and What Do They Do?

Custom sports mouthguards are protective dental devices designed to help safeguard your teeth, gums and jaw and potentially reduce the severity of concussions during high-impact activities, martial arts, and contact sports. Unlike store-bought boil and bite options, custom made mouthguards from a dental professional are tailored to your individual bite, offering a snug fit and more consistent protection. At St Ives Dental Group, we create custom mouthguards designed to help shield your teeth from injury while still allowing comfortable breathing and speaking during physical activity.

The difference between a custom and off-the-shelf mouthguard often comes down to fit. A mouthguard that shifts around or feels bulky, such as a generic Gel Max mouthguard, is far less likely to be worn consistently, which can undermine the protection it’s meant to provide in the moments that matter most. This is especially relevant for youth and younger athletes, who may be tempted to skip wearing an uncomfortable mouthguard altogether.

Benefits of Custom Sports Mouthguards at Our St Ives Practice

  • Injury protection — helps absorb impact to protect teeth from chips, cracks, broken teeth or being knocked out during contact sports like hockey or netball
  • Orthodontic protection — helps shield braces and other orthodontic appliances, so treatment progress isn’t compromised
  • Custom comfort — tailored to your individual bite for a snug fit that stays in place and allows easy breathing and speaking
  • Peace of mind — lets athletes and parents focus on the game, knowing their smile has an added layer of protection

These benefits are closely connected. A mouthguard that fits well tends to stay in place during play, which is what allows it to deliver the protection and comfort patients are looking for in the first place. A poorly fitted option, by contrast, can end up doing little more than sitting uncomfortably in the mouth without offering much real protection when it counts.

Why Choose St Ives Dental Group for Custom Mouthguards

At St Ives Dental Group, we’re committed to providing quality general dentistry and dental protection tailored to each patient. Our custom mouthguards are designed with comfort, durability and function in mind, so you can focus on your sport with an added layer of protection for your teeth. Because so many of our patients are local families, our team including family and general dentist Dr Yolanda Chiong, and Dr Aida Saffarpour, whose focus includes paediatric and restorative care is experienced in fitting mouthguards for children as well as adults. As an NSQHS Standards accredited practice, we follow recognised Australian Dental Association guidelines and national safety and quality standards, and with many local households speaking a language other than English at home, patients also value that several of our dentists speak additional languages, including Farsi and Korean.

We also know that sport schedules and training commitments can make it hard to find time for a fitting, which is why we’re open seven days a week, including evening appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays and weekend availability — making it easier for busy families across St Ives to book an appointment before the season starts. Booking ahead of pre-season training means one less thing to organise once the season is in full swing.

Trust is built through listening, showing compassion and giving every patient careful, individual attention.

Dr Mahshad Habibi, St Ives Dental Group

How Our Custom Sports Mouthguards Are Made

Step One

Consultation

Your journey begins with a consultation to discuss your activity level, sport and any specific dental concerns, including orthodontic treatment if relevant.

Step Two

Impressions and Fabrication

We take precise impressions of your teeth, then craft a durable, impact-resistant mouthguard tailored to your individual dental structure.

Step Three

Fitting

Once ready, we check that your mouthguard fits properly and make any adjustments needed for comfort and function.

Because growing children’s mouths and bites can change over time, we also recommend a periodic dental check-up to confirm a mouthguard still fits well, particularly for younger athletes who are still developing. A mouthguard that fit perfectly last season may need adjusting or replacing as things change, so it’s worth factoring this into your routine check-ups before each new season begins.

Is a Custom Mouthguard Right for You?

Not every sport or activity carries the same level of risk, and our team can help you decide whether a custom mouthguard makes sense for your situation.

This may be worth considering if you have

A child who plays contact sports, skateboards, or does other physical activities

Braces or other orthodontic treatment needing extra protection

Concerns about protecting your teeth during high-impact sports

How it helps

Helps protect against injuries like chipped or knocked-out teeth during sport

Helps protect orthodontic appliances and keep treatment progress on track

Provides confidence and peace of mind for athletes and parents

Particularly well suited to

Athletes of all levels wanting reliable dental protection

Parents seeking protection for their children during sport

Individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment who need added protection

Helping You Protect Your Smile

Our team provides treatments that may improve comfort and function, with every plan built around your individual needs. Results differ for each person and will be discussed with you in full during your consultation, including guidance on caring for your mouthguard between fittings. If you play multiple sports or seasons, it’s worth mentioning this too, as it can affect how often your mouthguard needs checking.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a custom mouthguard last?

This depends on how often it’s worn, how it’s cared for, and, for younger athletes, how quickly their mouth is growing and changing. Your dentist can advise on when it might be time for a replacement or adjustment.

Can I get a custom mouthguard if I have braces?

Yes. We can create a mouthguard designed to fit comfortably around braces or other orthodontic appliances, helping protect both your teeth and your treatment progress during sport.

Do you make custom mouthguards for children?

Yes. Our team fits mouthguards for children as well as adults, which is a common request in a suburb with as many young sporting families as St Ives. We also recommend re-checking the fit periodically, as a child’s mouth changes while they grow.

Will my private health extras cover a custom mouthguard?

Many families use private health extras cover towards a custom mouthguard, though the amount depends on your level of cover. Our team can help you understand what your fund may cover before your fitting.

Can I book a fitting in the evening or on a weekend before the season?

Yes — we’re open seven days a week, with evening appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which makes it easier to organise a fitting around training and match schedules. You’ll find us at Shop G3, 166 Mona Vale Road, St Ives NSW 2075.

* Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2021 Census of Population and Housing — General Community Profile, St Ives (NSW), State Suburb (SAL). Source of the demographic figure cited (e.g. the share of local residents aged 0–14).

Book Your St Ives Custom Mouthguard Fitting

To arrange a consultation and fitting for a custom mouthguard, contact St Ives Dental Group on (02) 9983 1166 or book online. You’ll find us at Shop G3, 166 Mona Vale Road, St Ives NSW 2075, open seven days a week including Tuesday and Thursday evenings, so it’s easy to find a time that fits around training and match schedules. Our team is happy to answer any questions beforehand, so you know exactly what to expect — whether this is your first custom mouthguard or a replacement for the new season.