Should Your Child Wear a Mouthguard?

Posted on September 30, 2022 | Hot Topics

Should your child wear a mouthguard during their athletic activities? Yes! When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear. Your child should always wear a mouthguard when playing sports.

Safety is an often overlooked part of oral health. Many tend to think of only football players wearing mouth guards, but injuries can happen in any contact sport like soccer, basketball, baseball and martial arts. Injuries can occur when a child collides with another player or ball,  or when they fall and hit a hard surface. Injuries like these can vary from breaking or knocking out teeth to soft tissue injuries to the lips, cheeks, or tongue which may require emergency dental care.

Mouthguards help to cushion a blow to the face, and minimize the risk of broken teeth and injuries to lips, tongue, face or jaw. They typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining.

Types of Mouthguards

There are a few different types of mouthguards. You have to do your research and know what to consider when buying a mouthguard.

Ready-Made Mouthguards

Ready-Made Mouthguards are inexpensive and come preformed and ready to wear. They are easy to put in and take out. The downside is that they can be less secure and possibly less comfortable.

Boil and Bite

These are the most popular type of mouthguard. They can be purchased at most sporting goods stores and may offer a better fit than the ready-made mouthguards. They are first softened in boiling water, then inserted into the mouth and allowed to adapt to the shape of your teeth and mouth. These are also a relatively inexpensive option with a better fit than a Ready-Made Mouthguard. 

Custom-Fit Mouthguards

Custom-Fit Mouthguards are custom made by your dentist and are created for fit and comfort. If this is an option you’d like to pursue, it’s best to reach out to the dentist to schedule an appointment for a custom-fit mouthguard. At Blossom, we don’t typically recommend custom mouthguards until your child has lost all of their baby teeth. Otherwise they’d need to frequently be remade. 

How to Take Care of Your Mouthguard

It is crucial to have good oral hygiene and take proper care of your mouthguard. Here are a few tips to protect against germs, viruses and bacteria:

• Rinse your mouthguard before and after each use. You can clean it in cool, soapy water or brush it with toothpaste. Then, rinse and dry it thoroughly.
• Store and transport the mouthguard in a sturdy container with vents to dry and keep bacteria from growing. Most mouthguards will come with a sturdy case for travel. 
• Store your mouthguard and case somewhere pets cannot get to it. Pets get curious and can think the mouthguard is a new toy!
• Check fit and for signs of wear and tear. It is important to replace it immediately if it shows signs of wear, is damaged or doesn’t fit properly.
• Never leave the mouthguard in the sun or hot water.
• Bring your mouthguard with you to your regular dental checkups so we can make sure it fits properly and is in good condition.

If you’re unsure about when to replace your mouthguard, just ask us!

If your child ever breaks a tooth or knocks a tooth out (or knocks it loose), it’s important to find the fragments or the tooth and put them in milk to keep them from drying out. Then contact us as soon as possible so that there is a better chance of saving the teeth! 

As always, we’re happy to help if you have any questions about how to choose the right mouthguard for your child. Just ask or call to set up an appointment with our team here at Blossom!