All parents want their children to have a happy and healthy youth—and, oftentimes, sports are a good habit to achieve that. Team sports allow children to have fun, make friends, learn about teamwork, and protect their bodies by fostering an active lifestyle. However, there’s the fear of sudden dental-related accidents and a sudden visit to the pediatric dentist in Lihue, too.
Luckily, there’s no need to stop encouraging sports to protect your child’s oral health. Instead, a custom mouthguard can cushion their teeth in case of an accident while keeping them from grinding in tense situations. To help you understand the importance of these appliances, we came up with this guide.
Do Young Athletes Need Mouthguards?
If your child plays football, hockey, or another contact sport, you have most likely heard of mouthguards. They are the hard, plastic pieces that athletes wear to protect their teeth during games (or to chew on in between plays).
The majority of sports organizations do not mandate that athletes wear mouthguards, so it’s easy to assume that they are not required. Actually, according to a survey conducted by the American Association of Orthodontists, 84% of kids do not wear mouthguards when participating in organized sports.
Nonetheless, mouthguards are an extremely dependable tool that can be vital in safeguarding your child’s dental health. If you use helmets, pads, and other safety gear to protect their body—why not get a mouthguard for their teeth, too?
The Growing Importance of Mouthguards
Over time, the number of young people participating in sports has steadily increased. Twenty to twenty-five million young people are playing competitive sports nowadays. Sadly, child oral injuries have become more common as a result.
According to the American Dental Association, sports are thought to be responsible for about 36% of all unintentional injuries to children and adolescents, with maxillofacial injuries accounting for 10% to 20% of these cases. Among these, dental injuries are the most frequent orofacial injury sustained.
Additionally, athletes who do not wear a protective mouthguard are 60 times more likely to suffer dental damage. These injuries can result in dental fractures, tooth loss, and even permanent damage to oral structures, requiring surgical medical intervention.
How Mouthguards Work
Mouthguards are very important for keeping your kids’ teeth safe when playing sports.
By covering your child’s teeth, they serve as a protective layer and act as a cushion between the two arches of teeth. During sudden contact or hits to the face, they can prevent a child from chipping a tooth or knocking it out during sports. Additionally, it is very beneficial if your child wears braces because the mouthguard can shield the wires and brackets from harm.
Apart from safeguarding the teeth, mouthguards also support the jaw, lips, and gums. For instance, a mouthguard could save a child from biting their lip or tongue by accident. This could result in severe pain, potential stitches, and facial scarring.
In fact, mouthguards prevent more than 200,000 oral injuries annually, according to the American Dental Association.
Who Needs a Mouthguard?
As we mentioned, mouthguards can be highly beneficial, no matter what sport your child plays. However, in contact sports, they’re even more crucial as the probability of dental injuries increases.
Mouthguards are mainly advised for children and teenagers participating in sports such as:
- Basketball
- Hockey
- Baseball
- Soccer
- Rugby
- Football
- Lacrosse
Children who play water polo, box, wrestle, skateboard, or mountain bike can also benefit from wearing a mouthguard. In general, it is worthwhile to think about protecting your child’s teeth if you believe they could fall on their face or be thrown something.
Types of Mouthguards
There are several types of mouthguards, each with a distinct purpose, such as protecting athletes, preventing teeth grinding at night, or treating sleep apnea. Some of these are:
- Stock Mouthguards: These are the most accessible option. They come ready to wear and come pre-formed, but because they cannot be adjusted to fit a person’s teeth precisely, they frequently offer the least amount of comfort and protection.
- Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards: Crafted from thermoplastic material, these mouthguards need to be softened in hot water before being positioned in the mouth. By biting onto the material, your child can shape them to conform to the contours of the teeth for a more comfortable fit.
- Custom-Fitted Mouthguards: Made by a dentist or dental lab, these provide the highest level of comfort because they are made to fit each person’s mouth precisely. They’re made from durable, resistant materials, and they’re custom-designed to ensure a perfect fit.
- Sports Mouthguards: Made to shield the gums, lips, and teeth from impact when participating in sports like boxing, basketball, or football, they’re thicker and more durable than common boil-and-bite mouthguards.
- Night Guards: Used to stop bruxism, or teeth grinding, while you sleep. Children can grind their teeth, too. To prevent enamel erosion and jaw pain, nightguards cushion their teeth.
- Orthodontic Mouthguards: These are specially designed for individuals with braces or other dental appliances. Sudden hits to the face with braces can be very painful and cause injuries to the soft tissues of the mouth, so orthodontic mouthguards are a must.
It is crucial that the mouthguard fits your child correctly, regardless of the style you choose. A mouthguard must fit snugly against the gums, be painless, and be durable in order to be effective. Consult your dentist to find out what kind of mouthguard better fits your child’s needs.
Treating Dental Injuries
When a dental injury occurs, time is critical. Do not let the athlete put off getting treatment for a dental injury until the end of the game. Take them to the dentist within two hours.
We will do everything in our hands to stop the pain, restore their teeth, and avoid tooth loss, so come right away!
Protect Your Child’s Teeth Alongside a Pediatric Dentist in Lihue
If your kid is passionate about the world of sports, purchasing a mouthguard is key. Contact sports aren’t the only ones that pose a dangerous risk for your child’s oral health—even during training, accidents can happen.
You may not be able to prevent a sprained ankle or a busted knee—but you can rest assured that their smile remains protected with this simple appliance. If you’re interested in learning more, contact Kidshine Pediatric Dental Group today!