Sports are an excellent way for children to have fun, get exercise, and learn teamwork, but they can come with significant risks to their dental health. Luckily, many dental offices offer high-quality customized athletic mouthguards that can give your little athlete the protection they need to keep their smile safe. Here’s a brief guide to these wonderful appliances that can spare your child from many painful and expensive dental emergencies.
Why Does My Child Need a Mouthguard?
Athletic activities such as soccer, basketball, baseball, football, and martial arts all involve a lot of kinetic energy flying around, and it’s quite easy for a child to break or lose a tooth due to a ball or an elbow landing in the wrong place. By fitting your child with a customized athletic mouthguard, you can ensure that their smile enjoys the finest protection available so they can play their heart out while keeping their teeth safe. Mouthguards can also be great for kids who enjoy riding bikes or skateboards.
How Do Mouthguards Work?
One paper reports that one-third of all oral injuries are sustained while playing sports. While mouthguards cannot prevent blows to the face, they can cushion the teeth, reducing or preventing damage like chips, cracks, fractures, or dislodgments. While the leagues of some sports like basketball do not usually require wearing a mouthguard, many players choose to do so due to the many safety benefits they offer.
Why Should I Invest in a Customized Mouthguard for My Child?
There are a variety of mouthguards available for purchase. Stock mouthguards are the cheapest option and offer fair protection, but boil-and-bite models offer a more personalized fit that can prevent more injuries. However, a customized mouthguard from your dentist is the best option. To make one, your dentist will take a bite impression of your child’s teeth and gums, and these will be sent to a lab where a skilled technician will manufacture the appliance.
A mouthguard is an excellent investment in your aspiring athlete’s oral health. Getting a customized appliance from your dentist can provide them with the protection they need to play their best without having to deal with painful tooth injuries.
About the Author
Dr. Jerry Janzen earned his dental degree at the University of Saskatchewan and pursues continuing education in a wide variety of disciplines within the dental field. He is proud to serve as a member of the Canadian Dental Association and the International Team for Implantology. His office in Prince Albert provides general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as customized mouthguards. To learn more about protecting your child’s teeth, contact his office online or dial (306) 763-7841.