Mouthguards For Stick-And-Ball Sports
Hockey, cricket, baseball, softball, and lacrosse share a similar injury profile — a hard ball or a swinging stick moving at speed, often close to a player who isn’t looking at the right moment. Custom mouthguards are now widely recommended, particularly for batters, fielders close to the wicket, and goalkeepers.
HICAPS on the day
Pre-season fittings
At a glance: Custom guards spread impact across the bite, cushion the upper lip, and stay in place without clenching. A pre-season fitting takes one short scan appointment, with a return visit to check fit. HICAPS on the day, gap depends on your fund.
Not your sport? See contact football codes, combat sports, or water sports.
Get a custom guard before the season starts.
Or call (07) 3269 6252 · see all sports mouthguard options.
Common injuries
Common dental injuries in stick-and-ball sports
The mechanism of injury is different to football codes — less full-body contact, more localised impact from a stick, bat, or ball. The injuries we see most often are:
For first-aid after an on-field knock, see our pages on knocked-out teeth, broken teeth, and sports dental injuries.
Why custom
Why custom guards suit stick-and-ball sports
The combination of high-velocity impact and an unprotected upper lip makes the upper front teeth particularly vulnerable. A custom guard does three useful things:
A boil-and-bite guard is better than nothing for casual play, but for organised competition the fit, durability, and breathing of a custom guard are difficult to match. See custom vs boil-and-bite for the trade-offs.
Sport by sport
Sport-by-sport notes
What we recommend across the most common stick-and-ball sports.
Field hockey
Field hockey produces high rates of dental injury because of the stick, the hard ball, and the speed of play near the goal. Hockey Australia strongly recommends mouthguards for players at all levels, and many junior clubs require them.
Goalkeepers often choose a thicker guard — closer to what we fit for contact football codes.
Cricket
Batters facing fast bowling, wicket-keepers, and fielders close to the wicket are at the highest risk. Helmets reduce but do not remove the risk of a ball getting through the grille. A guard is sensible for any player taking strike or fielding at short leg or silly point.
Baseball and softball
Batters and catchers are most exposed. A miss-hit ball, a foul tip, or an errant swing in the on-deck circle can all knock teeth out. Junior leagues in particular benefit from mandated mouthguard use — see junior sport mouthguards.
Lacrosse
Lacrosse is one of the higher-risk sports for dental injury because of the stick and the speed of the ball. Mouthguards are mandatory in most lacrosse codes, and a custom fit makes communication on the field much easier than a boil-and-bite.
Pre-season is the best time for a fitting.
Who it suits
Who this suits
A custom mouthguard suits players including:
Appointment
What to expect at the appointment
The process is the same as any custom sports mouthguard — one scan visit, a short return visit to fit.
Scan or impression
We take a digital scan or quick impression of the teeth. For some sports we also capture the bite.
Fabrication
The guard is made from pressure-laminated EVA. You can pick colours, add team designs, or include initials.
Fitting
At the fitting we check that the guard sits flush against the teeth, does not lift during jaw movements, and feels comfortable to talk and breathe in. Adjustments happen on the day.
Reviews
We check the guard at routine check-ups, especially for junior players whose teeth are still erupting.
Care
Replacement timing
Stick-and-ball guards tend to last longer than combat guards because they take less direct biting force, but a chewed, thinned, or warped guard still needs replacing. Junior players generally need a new guard each season because of growth and tooth eruption. See care and replacement for a full schedule.
Payment
Health funds and payment
Sandgate Family Dental is a HICAPS provider. Where your private health fund policy includes mouthguard rebates, we process the claim at the practice and you only pay the gap. Rebates depend on your policy and annual limits — your fund can confirm before treatment.
FAQs
Stick-and-ball sports mouthguard FAQs
Is a helmet enough for cricket batters?
A helmet protects the head and face but does not prevent every dental injury. A guard worn underneath the helmet adds a layer of protection for the teeth and lips. Most batters find a slim custom guard fits comfortably under a helmet.
Do hockey players need an upper-only or upper-and-lower guard?
Most hockey players wear an upper-only guard. Players in goalkeeping positions sometimes choose a heavier guard, or a guard for both arches. We discuss what suits at the scan appointment.
What about kids playing junior cricket or hockey?
Junior players benefit from a custom guard once the front adult teeth have come through. Until then a soft boil-and-bite may be sensible, knowing it will need replacing as teeth change. See junior sport mouthguards.
Can I drink water with a mouthguard in?
Yes — most players keep their guard in during drinks breaks. Rinse the guard if it has been on the ground or in the kit bag.
How do I clean a guard after a long, hot day in the field?
Rinse with cool water, brush gently with a soft toothbrush (no toothpaste), and store in a ventilated case away from direct sun. Our care and replacement guide has more.
Will my child’s CDBS cover a mouthguard?
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule does not typically cover custom mouthguards, but it does cover routine preventive care that supports dental health. See CDBS bulk billing.
I am returning to club cricket in my forties — am I too old for a guard?
No. Returning players are common candidates for a custom guard, particularly if you have crowns, veneers, or other dental work that is more costly to replace than the guard itself.
How long does a fitting appointment take?
The scan itself is short — usually under 15 minutes. The return fitting takes about the same. Most players are sorted across two brief visits within a fortnight.
Related pages
Related sports mouthguard pages
If your knock has already happened: sports dental injuries, broken tooth, knocked-out tooth.
Ready to get fitted?
If you play hockey, cricket, baseball, softball, or lacrosse, pre-season is the time to sort a custom guard.
Or phone Sandgate Family Dental on (07) 3269 6252.