So, you are wondering, “Should my child wear a sports mouthguard?” Well… is he or she involved in a high-contact or extreme sport? If you said yes, then the answer is absolutely.
Sports-Related Mouth Injuries
The American Dental Assistants Association says that 15 million Americans suffer dental injuries, and 5 million teeth are lost annually in sports-related injuries. Now, those are some serious stats – and not in a good way. Mouth guards help to protect the teeth, gums, lips and tongue from sustaining an injury.
At-Risk Sports
While it is possible to have an accident or injury in a low-contact or single-player sport, high-contact sports carry the most risk. Those include:
- Basketball
- Football
- Boxing
- Lacrosse
- Rugby
- Hockey
- Martial Arts
Guard Their Smiles
Mouth guards cushion the blow when a facial hit is sustained. The soft material fits in the mouth and helps to protect your child’s mouth. But we know that getting them to wear one can be difficult if they are not comfortable. A custom-made mouthguard is always going to be a better fit (literally) than one of the one-size-fits all mouthguards that you buy at the sporting goods store. A custom mouthguard protects the mouth and can do it comfortably – which means your athlete can focus on the game.
Mouthguards and Orthodontics
Sports-related injuries are also particularly scary when your child wears braces. Not only could a sports injury result in a lost or broken tooth, kids that wear braces are at risk of breaking or damaging their orthodontic appliances. This can be painful and even extend the total treatment time that they have to wear braces.
Taking Care of Your Mouthguard
Caring for your mouthguard is not difficult. The main thing to remember is to keep it clean by washing it regularly with soap and water. You also want to always keep your mouthguard in its case when it is not being worn to avoid damage or loss. And if you have a custom-fit mouthguard, never boil it like you do the ones from a sporting goods store. It is not necessary to adjust the fit on one that is made specifically for you, and you will most likely melt or warp the material.
Always Here for You
Hopefully you now see the importance of having your child wear a mouthguard when participating in sports. Just like they wear a helmet or pads to protect their body, a mouthguard is part of their gear that protects their mouth and teeth. We know that accidents and injuries still happen, and we are on your team! Contact us immediately if your child experiences an injury, broken or lost tooth, or any mouth pain from a sports-related incident. At Pediatric Dentistry of Wyoming, we will get them back in the game in no time!