Sports and recreational activities are a great way for children to stay active, build confidence, and have fun. However, many sports also carry a risk of dental injuries. Falls, collisions, and accidental contact with equipment can easily damage teeth and gums in a matter of seconds. That’s why wearing a mouthguard is one of the simplest and most important ways to protect your child’s smile.
A properly fitted mouthguard can help reduce the risk of serious dental injuries and make sports participation much safer.
What Does a Mouthguard Do?
A mouthguard is a protective appliance worn over the teeth during sports or physical activities. It acts as a cushion that helps absorb and distribute the force of impact.
Mouthguards can help protect against:
- Chipped teeth.
- Cracked teeth.
- Knocked-out teeth.
- Lip and cheek injuries.
- Jaw injuries.
Children who participate in contact sports like football, hockey, basketball, wrestling, and soccer are especially encouraged to wear one. However, mouthguards are also beneficial for activities like skateboarding, gymnastics, biking, and martial arts.
Dental Injuries Can Be Serious
A sports-related dental injury can be painful, expensive, and emotionally stressful for both children and parents. A knocked-out permanent tooth, for example, may require emergency treatment and long-term dental care.
Some injuries can even increase the risk of complications such as infection or permanent damage to developing teeth. Preventing these injuries whenever possible is far easier than treating them afterward.
Custom Mouthguards Offer Better Protection
Store-bought mouthguards can provide some protection, but custom mouthguards made by a dentist often fit more comfortably and securely.
A better fit makes it easier for children to breathe, speak, and focus during sports activities. Custom mouthguards are also less likely to shift or fall out during play.
Children with braces especially benefit from properly fitted mouthguards because orthodontic appliances can increase the risk of cuts and oral injuries during impact.
Mouthguards Protect More Than Teeth
In addition to protecting teeth, mouthguards may help reduce injuries to the lips, tongue, cheeks, and jaw.
Some research also suggests that mouthguards may help reduce the severity of certain jaw injuries and lessen the impact of blows to the face.
Protecting the mouth and jaw during sports can help reduce the risk of long-term complications like temporomandibular joint disorder.
Building Healthy Habits Early
Encouraging children to wear a mouthguard consistently helps establish lifelong habits of sports safety and oral health protection.
Children who learn to prioritize dental protection early may be more likely to continue these habits into adolescence and adulthood.
Parents, coaches, and dental professionals all play an important role in reinforcing the importance of mouthguard use.
A mouthguard is a small piece of equipment that can make a big difference in protecting your child’s smile. Whether your child plays organized sports or participates in recreational activities, wearing a mouthguard can help prevent painful and costly dental injuries. Protecting your child’s teeth today can help preserve their healthy smile for many years to come.
About the Author
Dr. Lydia Brett has been practicing dentistry for more than a decade and is a graduate of the Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry. She went on to complete her specialty training at the UTHealth Houston Pediatric Dental Residency. Always eager to hone her skills, Dr. Brett maintains memberships in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Houston Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. If your child needs preventive care, book online or call our Bellaire office at (832) 409-3998.