A $15 boil-and-bite mouthguard and a custom mouthguard from your dentist both go in your mouth. The similarities stop there.
If you play contact sport in Brisbane (rugby league, AFL, basketball, soccer, martial arts, hockey), a mouthguard isn’t optional. The type you wear determines how much protection you get.
Boil-and-Bite vs. Custom Mouthguard: How They Compare
Most people start with a boil-and-bite from the chemist. You heat it, bite down, and hope for the best. It works, to a point.
| Boil-and-bite | Custom (dentist-made) | |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Approximate. Relies on your bite impression in softened plastic | Precision. Made from a mould of your teeth |
| Thickness | Uniform. Same thickness everywhere | Variable. Thicker where impact is likely, thinner where it isn’t |
| Breathing | Often bulky, can restrict airflow | Trimmed to your mouth, less bulk at the back |
| Speech | Muffled. Hard to call plays or communicate | Clearer. You can often talk without removing it |
| Protection level | Absorbs some force, but poor fit means it can shift on impact | Typically stays put and distributes force evenly across the arch |
| Lifespan | One season, sometimes less | 2–3 seasons with proper care |
| Cost | $10–$50 | $150–$300 depending on complexity |
Boil-and-bite mouthguards give a false sense of security. A guard that shifts during a tackle won’t protect you.
How a Custom Sports Mouthguard Is Made
The process takes two short appointments.
Appointment 1 — Impressions (10–15 minutes) Your dentist takes a mould of your upper teeth using a digital scanner. It takes a few minutes and gives the lab an exact map of your bite. If you wear braces or have other dental work, the mould accounts for that.
Lab fabrication (5–7 business days) A dental lab builds your mouthguard in layers, usually 4mm of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). The layers vary the protection: thicker over your front teeth where impact hits most, thinner along the palate so it doesn’t trigger your gag reflex.
Appointment 2 — Fitting (10 minutes) You try the finished guard. Your dentist checks the fit, trims edges, and adjusts the bite. You should be able to breathe and speak without the guard getting in the way.
Two visits, both under 15 minutes.
Who Should Get a Custom Mouthguard?
A custom mouthguard makes the most sense if you:
- Play a contact or collision sport regularly (not just one social game a year)
- Have had previous dental work — crowns, composite bonding, or implants are expensive to repair if damaged
- Wear braces or aligners, because a boil-and-bite won’t fit over orthodontic hardware
- Have a child playing competitive sport. Kids’ mouthguards need replacing more often as their jaw grows, but a well-fitted guard still outperforms a generic one
How to Look After Your Mouthguard
A custom mouthguard can last multiple seasons if you protect it between games.
- Rinse with cold water after every use. Not hot. Heat warps the material.
- Brush it with a soft toothbrush and cold water once a week. No toothpaste (it’s abrasive).
- Store it in a ventilated case, not loose in your kit bag. Warm, damp environments breed bacteria.
- Keep it away from heat. Don’t leave it in your car, on a window sill, in your pocket (it can end up in the laundry) or near a heater.
- Bring it to your checkups so your dentist can check the fit and wear over time.
Replace your mouthguard if it cracks, feels loose, or no longer holds tight against your teeth.
What a Custom Mouthguard Costs in Brisbane
Most Brisbane dental practices charge between $150 and $300 for a custom sports mouthguard. The price depends on the material, the number of layers, and whether you need special features like extra thickness for high-impact sports.
Some private health funds cover part of the cost under “general dental” or “preventive” benefits. Check your policy. Coverage for mouthguards is more common than you’d expect.
Compare that to the alternative: a chipped or broken tooth from an inadequate mouthguard costs more to repair, and some damage can’t be reversed.
Sports That Require Mouthguards in Brisbane
In Queensland, mouthguards are mandatory for many organised sports:
- Rugby league and rugby union: Compulsory at all levels
- AFL: Compulsory for juniors, strongly recommended for seniors
- Hockey: Compulsory
- Boxing and martial arts: Compulsory
- Basketball: Recommended by Basketball Australia, mandatory in many local leagues
- Soccer: Not mandatory, but more common each year given heading and collision risks
If your sport involves any chance of contact with another player, a ball, or the ground, a mouthguard is worth wearing.
If you’re playing sport in Brisbane and want a mouthguard that fits, book an appointment at Teneriffe Dental. We see patients from across inner Brisbane, Teneriffe, New Farm, Newstead, Fortitude Valley, and Bowen Hills.
