As a parent, you do your best to protect your child at all times. However, when they’re immersed in the big game, all you can do is cheer from the sidelines and hope nothing bad happens. Imagine the peace of mind of knowing their pearly whites are better protected with a customized mouthguard. After all, you make sure their head, knees, shoulders, and other body parts are shielded, so why not their smile? Learn why this added barrier matters and can help keep them out of the emergency dentist’s office.
What Kinds of Dental Injuries Can Occur While Playing Sports?
One minute, you’re watching your child run down the field. The next, you’re calling the dentist about a dental emergency. Sports-related injuries can range from an unexpected fall to an accidental collision, but one thing remains the same: they put your child’s growing smile at risk.
If your child isn’t wearing a customized mouthguard to protect their smile, they might experience:
- Soft tissue lacerations, such as a busted lip or cheek
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- A knocked-out tooth
- Displaced or loose teeth
- Jaw injuries or fractures
- Permanent tooth injuries below the gums
- Damage to the tooth roots
According to the National Youth Sports Foundation for Safety, dental damage remains the most common orofacial injury during sports. Athletes are believed to be 60 times more likely to experience tooth damage if they don’t wear a mouthguard.
Why Choose a Custom Versus Store-Bought Mouthguard?
Any mouthguard is better than none at all, but dentists strongly encourage customized devices for several reasons:
- Comfort: Custom mouthguards are built using digital impressions taken of your child’s mouth. This means the new appliance will fit their dimensions. You can rest assured it will stay snug during gameplay, keeping your child’s teeth fully protected.
- Ability to Breathe: Store-bought mouthguards are often bulky, making it hard for athletes to breathe freely. However, a custom device is crafted to your child’s smile, so they’re more likely to keep wearing it throughout the game because they can speak and breathe more easily.
- Durability: Mouthguards purchased over the counter often do not last long because cheaper materials are used. Custom appliances are more durable and can withstand more wear and tear. While they’re not meant to last forever, your child or teenager can expect theirs to protect their smile throughout the season by absorbing extra pressure that might otherwise fall on their teeth.
Whether your child plays contact sports or competes solo, a custom mouthguard will safeguard their smile and provide you with greater peace of mind as you cheer them on from the sidelines.
About the Practice
Our dentists at All About Kids Dentistry take an individualized approach, giving each patient our undivided attention to ensure every child feels comfortable and safe in our care. With general and board-certified pediatric dentists on staff, we deliver smile-saving solutions that keep kids and teenagers on the path to lifelong oral health. Do you have an athlete who needs proper mouth protection? Visit our website or call (847) 870–0475 to schedule an appointment.