You make sure your child wears their seat belt during every car trip and their helmet every bike ride, but are they wearing a mouthguard when they play sports? While your child may not want to wear it now, they’ll thank you later. Damaged teeth are no joke, especially if your child has all of their permanent teeth. Mouthguards are one of the least expensive types of sports gear but can save you thousands of dollars — and prevent your child from getting hurt. In this post, your emergency dentist in Gainesville explains the ins and outs of mouthguards.
When Should My Child Wear a Mouthguard?
Your child should wear a mouthguard anytime there’s a possibility of them getting hit in the mouth, whether by a ball or another person. The follow sports are from a list compiled by the American Dental Association, but you shouldn’t limit wearing a mouthguard just to these:
- Basketball
- Football
- Martial Arts
- Gymnastics
- Skateboarding
- Soccer
- Volleyball
What Can Mouthguards Prevent?
Your child is at risk of more than a chipped tooth when they don’t wear a mouthguard. Athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to damage their teeth, often causing permanent damage to oral structures. When your child has all of their permanent teeth, damaging or knocking out a tooth can require even more serious medical intervention. Mouthguards also protect your child’s jawbone and can prevent concussions.
Which Type of Mouthguard is Best?
There are three types of mouthguards: ready-made, mouth-formed and custom. Ready-made are bought over the counter and act as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ guard, which runs the risk of not properly fitting your child’s mouth. Mouth-formed guards are also bought over the counter and require the ‘boil and bite’ method to be shaped. This includes placing to guard in boiling water and then having your child bite down on it to mold the plastic to their teeth. Custom mouthguards are created by your dentist and provide optimal protection.
Your dentist in Gainesville will make your child’s custom mouthguard by taking an impression of their teeth. The result is an extremely durable and close-fitting mouthguard that reduces pressure on the jaw. It cannot be chewed through like other types of mouthguards and provides better oxygen flow. This is also the preferred option for players with braces.
As you schedule carpools to practice and get ready for game day, you shouldn’t have to worry about your athlete’s dental safety. Mouthguards offer years of heavy-duty protection to even the most intensive players. Talk to your dentist today about ensuring your child’s well being during games.
About the Author
Dr. Gabriel Nossa provides general, cosmetic and implant dental care to patients of all ages. He is a member of the Alachua County Dental Association, American Dental Association and Florida Dental Association. He enjoys watching his own daughter play volleyball and strongly believes in the importance of wearing mouthguards during games. If you have further questions about your child’s dental health, he can be contacted through his website or at 352-332-8133.