Why Does My Child Need an Athletic Mouthguard?
Sports are a great way for kids to stay active, but they also come with a risk of injury. One of the most common types of sports-related injuries is to the teeth and mouth. From chipped or loosened teeth to lip and gum injuries—or even complete tooth loss—these accidents can be painful and expensive. In fact, the cost of a single dental injury can exceed $10,000.
A properly fitted mouthguard helps protect against these injuries. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), mouthguards prevent an estimated 200,000 injuries each year in high school football alone.
What Kind of Mouthguard Is Best?
For a mouthguard to truly work, it should be: protective, comfortable, tear-resistant, tasteless, and allow your child to speak and breathe easily. It also needs to fit securely and have the right thickness to absorb impact.
There are many varieties of mouth guards that can be purchased online or in a local sports store. Some are designed to fit around braces and even appliances. If any of these don’t fit your needs, our office can provide a mouth guard to fit your needs, and we can even make a custom mouth guard that will ensure a perfect fit and offer the most amount of protection.
Custom mouthguards, designed by your child’s dentist or orthodontist, provide the best protection. They’re tailored to your child’s unique needs, including:
Room for growing adult teeth
Protection for kids with braces
Extra cushioning if there’s a history of past injuries
Adjustments based on the type of sport played
As parents, we can’t prevent every bump or bruise, but a custom mouthguard is one simple step that can make a huge difference in keeping our kids’ smiles safe.
