Your Kid Should Wear an Athletic Mouthguard; Here’s Why

Sports are a great way to learn teamwork, get exercise, and have fun, but many of them carry significant risks to a child’s oral health. Popular games like hockey, football, baseball, soccer, and basketball involve many hazards such as thrown balls, swung elbows, and tripping opportunities, and all of these can lead to dental injuries like chips, cracks, fractures, and even dislodgments. Here’s a brief guide to how wearing an athletic mouthguard can protect your child’s smile from harm.

Why Should My Child Wear an Athletic Mouthguard?

While dental enamel is the strongest material in the human body, it cannot repair itself if it is injured. Mouthguards protect teeth in much the same way that helmets protect heads in that they absorb much of the force of most blows and falls. These devices can be made from soft plastic or laminate, and they can also protect other parts of the mouth such as the gums, cheeks, and jaw. Dental injuries are a significant risk for athletes of all skill levels, and mouthguards have saved many teeth from preventable damage.

Why Should I Get an Athletic Mouthguard from My Pediatric Dentist?

While you can find one-size-fits-all and “boil-and-bite” mouthguards at your local sporting goods store, your pediatric dentist is trained and equipped to craft a customized athletic mouthguard for your little athlete. These professionally made devices provide superior protection because they are manufactured from high-quality materials according to exact specifications to ensure that your child’s teeth and gums are sheltered from blows, scratches, and cuts.

How Are Customized Athletic Mouthguards Made?

The process of creating a customized athletic mouthguard involves your dentist taking detailed bite impressions of your child’s teeth and sending these measurements to a trusted dental lab. There, a skilled technician will manufacture your child’s appliance to ensure that it provides maximum protection and comfort. When the device is completed, you’ll come back to your dentist’s office so your child can try it on and have any necessary adjustments made. Your kid will then be ready to wear their mouthguard on the field.

Don’t let preventable oral injuries affect your child’s smile for life. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best way to protect your young athlete’s grin.

About the Practice

Dr. Amar Singh earned his dental degree at Howard University College of Dentistry and completed a pediatric residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist and a member of the American Dental Association and the Pennsylvania Dental Association. His office in Levittown offers pediatric general, restorative, and emergency dentistry as well as athletic mouthguards. To learn more about protecting your child’s smile, contact his office online or dial (267) 580-9657.