Smart Protection for Active Young Smiles
Mouth guards, also known as sports guards or athletic mouth protectors, are essential pieces of equipment for any child participating in recreational or sporting activities that carry a risk of injury. Fitting snugly over the upper teeth, mouth guards safeguard the entire oral area from traumatic injury, preserving both the appearance and the health of the smile. Additionally, mouth guards are sometimes used to prevent tooth damage in children who grind their teeth at night (bruxism).
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) strongly recommends the use of dental mouth guards during any sporting or recreational activity. Most store-bought mouth guards cost less than ten dollars, making them a wise and affordable investment for every parent.
How Mouth Guards Help Protect Your Child?
Many sporting organizations now mandate the routine use of mouth guards by participants. While primarily designed to protect the teeth, mouth guards can also significantly reduce the force transmitted from a trauma impact point (jaw) to the central nervous system (base of the brain). In this way, mouth guards help minimize the risk of traumatic brain injury, which is particularly important for younger children.
Mouth guards also help lower the occurrence of the following injuries:
- Cheek injuries
- Concussions
- Gum and soft tissue injuries
- Jawbone fractures
- Lip injuries
- Neck injuries
- Tongue injuries
- Tooth fractures
Choosing the Right Mouth Guard for Your Child
While there are numerous brands of mouth guards available, most fall into three main categories: stock mouth guards, boil and bite mouth guards, and custom-made mouth guards.
Some factors to consider when selecting a mouth guard include:
- What is your budget?
- How often does your child participate in sports?
- What type of sport does your child play? (Basketball and baseball tend to have a higher incidence of oral injuries).
Considering these points, here's an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of mouth guard:
Stock mouth guards
These mouth guards are ready to use straight off the shelf and can be immediately placed in your child’s mouth. The fit is universal (one-size-fits-all), meaning they cannot be adjusted. Stock mouth guards are very inexpensive, easy to find in sporting goods stores, and require no special fitting. Pediatric dentists generally recommend this type the least because it offers minimal protection, can interfere with proper breathing and speaking, and tends to be uncomfortable.
Boil and bite mouth guards
These mouth guards are typically made from thermoplastic material and are widely available at most sporting goods stores. To fit them, the thermoplastic must first be softened by immersing it in hot water, and then it must be pressed onto your child’s teeth to create a personalized mold. Boil and bite mouth guards are slightly more expensive than stock mouth guards but tend to provide better protection, feel more comfortable, and allow for easier speech and breathing.
Customized mouth guards
These mouth guards offer the highest level of protection and are individually created by a dentist. The dentist first takes an impression of your child’s teeth using a special material, and then the mouth guard is fabricated over this mold. Custom-made mouth guards are more expensive and take longer to obtain, but they offer superior comfort, are orthodontically compatible, and have the dentist's full approval. Sky Pediatric Dentistry offers custom mouthguards in your team's colors. Please contact us if you are interested in learning more!
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