Sports and Smiles: 5 Reasons Why Mouth Guards Matter

Mouth guards: the solution to sports injuries.

If you played sports as a child, there’s a high chance that you have dealt with mouth guards in the past. But considering you were a child, there’s also the chance that you didn’t particularly want to wear them. So, with school sports in full swing, it’s time to go over why mouth guards really matter to your child’s oral health and how you can ensure they are both comfortable and effective.

Contact sports can put kids’ teeth at risk. When your child is up to bat, it only takes one ill-placed pitch for the ball to smack into their teeth. Without the help of a mouth guard, an accident like that can result in costly and extensive dental work. If your child is wearing a mouth guard, they could potentially avoid the injury altogether.

If your child needs a mouth guard for their sports, getting them to wear it can be an issue. Always remind them how important it is that they wear them for both practices and games. Accidents happen, and a mouth guard can save their smile.

What if their mouth guard doesn’t fit right? Or what if they are complaining that it’s uncomfortable? If this is the case, a custom-made mouth guard might be the best choice for your child. Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry offers custom-made mouth guards to ensure your child is geared up for their next practice session.

Prevents Broken or Chipped Teeth

In the world of sports, there are many different kinds of injuries. But one of the most common ones is injuries to the mouth. Mouth guards do a lot to prevent these issues altogether, so it is important to make sure your child is wearing their mouth guard as directed!

One of the most common dental injuries is broken or chipped teeth. Whether a wayward baseball finds its way to your child’s face or two children collide while fighting for home base, a chipped tooth can happen. But with the help of a mouth guard, the scenarios might still be a little bit uncomfortable, but it will help avoid costly dental repairs, protecting against direct impact.

Reduces the Risk of Soft Tissue Injuries

When it comes to dental injuries, it doesn’t end with the teeth. Soft tissue injuries are another common problem when a child (or adult, for that matter) fails to wear their mouth guard while playing. A big fall can result in biting through the lower lip or even the cheek. A broken tooth can easily go through the cheek itself. Or if a tooth falls out, there is a good chance you are dealing with severe damage to the gumline as well. 

A mouth guard protects the lips, cheeks, and even the tongue from cuts, gashes, and anything else the wild world of sports can throw at it. In addition to acting like a shield, it also provides some cushioning inside the mouth. This way, when your child falls, it’s less likely to jar them painfully.

Protects Braces and Dental Work

If your child has braces, a mouth guard is extra important. Braces can be broken or damaged easily while playing any sort of contact sport. Be sure they are wearing their mouth guard to prevent damage to their braces, but also to reduce the risk of injury from broken brackets or wires. A broken wire or bracket can create injuries in an instant—it’s not worth the risk.  

Helps Absorb Shock

Mouth guards do more than just protect the mouth itself; they are also excellent shock absorbers. Whether your child falls or runs smack into somebody, or something else, the mouth guard can lessen the force of this impact. This does a great job of reducing the risk of jaw injuries. 

Encourages Confidence on the Field

One of the keys to success in any sport is bravery. If your child is out on the field, afraid that they’re not going to be able to do their best, they won’t. The same goes for if they are out there, worried about whether they will get hurt. With the help of a mouth guard, kids can focus on playing instead of constantly worrying about injuries. This helps promote safe sports participation.

Mouth Guards Are an Essential Part of Success

Mouth guards are an essential for keeping your child safe through whatever sport suits them best. It helps prevent soft tissue injuries to the tongue, lips, or cheeks. Mouth guards prevent broken, cracked, or missing teeth, but they also help absorb shock when needed. With the help of a well-fitted mouth guard, your child can have the confidence they need to excel in whatever sport they choose.

Remember, there are custom-fit options for mouth guards, which ensure they will be comfortable for your child to wear no matter what. If you want to set up an appointment to get your child their own mouth guard, jump online and book today!