Learn More about the Use of Mouthguards in Sports

Sports and injuries are inseparable, but that doesn’t mean that your kid should not participate in sports. All you need is to ensure your kid is equipped with proper sports costumes that can help minimize the severity of an injury as much as possible.

Kneepads, helmets, and goggles are some of the necessities that your kid needs to participate in active sports such as football and hockey. What some people don’t take seriously is the need for a mouthguard. You should not do that, though. Here is why:

Statistics show that there are over two million cases of knocked-out teeth in sports every year. The statistics also show that mouthguards prevent more than 200, 000 dental injuries every year. This means that if parents take mouthguards as a necessity, more injuries can be prevented.

A mouthguard can also protect your kid from biting down his/ her tongue if he falls the wrong way during sports. It also helps redistribute force in case your kid falls on his/her head, which can help reduce the severity of a head blow.

It is worth noting that mouthguards cannot prevent concussion. This should not be a reason to look down on them because, as you can see, they can prevent lots of dental injuries.

Who Can Wear Mouthguards?

Mouthguards are made for everybody. There are mouthguards for kids and mouthguards for adults. Any kid who is eight and above can wear a mouthguard while participating in active sports such as football, hockey, soccer, baseball, and rugby.

Mouthguards are also essential even if your kid is not participating in contact sports. Get your kid a mouthguard even if he participates in sports such as biking, skateboarding, and mountain climbing.

Your child can also use mouthguards if he/she is undergoing orthodontic treatment. They can help prevent damage to the brackets and reduce the damage to his/her soft tissues from any impact. The dentist will help you choose the right mouth protector for kids if he is wearing braces.

Types of Mouthguards

Here are the most common types of mouthguards.

Boil and Bite Mouthguards

This type can be bought from a food store. You are required to boil the mouthguard for some time and then place it on your kid’s teeth and apply some pressure.

The mouthguards are not durable, and you may have to replace them after every season. Failure to that, they might not provide maximum protection. They come with instructions on how to use them.

Stock Mouthguards

There is no preparation required for this mouthguard. You can buy it and have your kid wear it on his way to the sports ground. They come in small, large, and medium sizes. The right size will depend on the size of your kid’s mouth

The mouthguards can be bought in most sporting goods stores. They also tend to wear off quickly, so you may have to replace them every season. They are very affordable, and you can get one for less than $15.

Custom Mouthguards

Custom-fit mouthguards are made in the dentist’s office and are the best type of mouthguards. They are super comfortable, and your kid can wear it fulltime during the game with zero discomforts.

The dentist can make a mouthguard that fits your child perfectly that he can sleep with it. If he/she grinds his teeth at night, a custom mouthguard can help prevent the effects of this habit, especially to orthodontic treatment.

Custom mouthguards are a bit expensive compared to the other types, but they are worth every dollar. They last for a long time, so you don’t need to replace them every season. Since they are more comfortable, they cannot affect your kid’s performance in sports.

Ensure to wash clean your kid’s mouthguard every time he/she removes it. Dry saliva encourages the formation of bacteria, which can lead to infections.

Final Words

Mouthguards for kids are very important in sports. They can help reduce dental injuries and lower the severity of head and face injuries. They come in different types, and the right one of your kid is the one that he/she is comfortable with.

Custom-fit mouth guards are the best since they are more comfortable and can be used in every sport. If you are looking for mouthguards in Greenwood SC, visit Kids First Dental today. We are here for you.