Participating on an athletics team in middle and high school can help your child learn about comradery and teamwork, two important and uplifting aspects of playing sports! However, as a parent, you may be focused more on the risks of them being out on the field or court. Something that can put your worries to rest is investing in reliable protection, like a professional mouthguard from their pediatric dentist. Read on to learn about the importance of protecting your child’s smile during their games and practices and the different types of sportsguards available.
Are Dental-Related Sports Injuries Common?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry released a policy on prevention of sports-related dental and facial injuries in 2023. Their findings showed that there are an average of 22,000 dental injuries that occur annually in children younger than 18. These can include knocked-out teeth, jaw injuries, chipped teeth, and more.
Many hobbies and interests in life carry risks, just like sports. However, as a parent, you’re likely thinking about the long-term impacts of injuries and dental and medical bills that could surface. One of the best ways to put your mind at ease is to invest in protection for their smile that you can trust. In fact, the American Dental Association recommends investing in proper safety equipment and estimates that parents doing so prevents over 200,000 oral sports-related injuries every year!
Different Types of Sportsguards
There are multiple types of mouthguards that you can invest in for your child, all with unique downsides and upsides. These include:
- Custom-Fabricated: Customized sportsguards can be crafted by a pediatric dentist and are based on professionally captured dental impressions.
- Mouth-Formed or Boil-and-Bite: Boil-and-bite mouthguards can be purchased from sporting good stores and are made from a special type of moldable plastic that can be shaped to the teeth after being placed in hot water.
- Stock Mouthguards: Stock mouthguards can be purchased from most sporting good stores and are not modifiable.
The Benefits of Investing in a Custom Mouthguard for a Child
While boil-and-bite mouthguards are a popular choice among many parents, their downsides include that they can vary drastically when it comes to their comfort and the protection that they offer. Additionally, because children have small mouths, this could make finding a boil-and-bite mouthguard that fits well more difficult, making it harder for your child to breathe while they’re running, or causing the mouthguard to become loose while they’re playing.
On the other hand, fully customized mouthguards are crafted from durable acrylic materials that have been clinically tested and proven to provide superior protection to the teeth and jaw. Plus, because they’re professionally fitted to their unique oral structure, you can rest assured that they will offer your child the most comfort and will fit seamlessly over their teeth.
Although investing in a customized sportsguard may come with a slightly larger price tag, it’s well worth it when you consider the potential for emergency dental bills that a poorly-fitted mouthguard may lead to. With protection you can trust, you’ll also be able to watch your child try their best on the field or court without having to fear the worst!
About the Practice
Brush Pediatric Dentistry was started by Dr. Mira Albert, who brought on four additional highly skilled, board-certified pediatric dentists to join her, including Drs. Rizzo, Gripentrog, Karamchandani, and Bollow. As parents themselves, they’re dedicated to helping both children and parents better understand their growing smiles and being there whenever possible, even when an unexpected dental emergency occurs. However, their top priority is to keep it from ever happening in the first place! For questions or to schedule an appointment for a children’s sportsguard, visit Brush Pediatric Dentistry’s website or call 630-504-2223.