11 May Spring Sports? Protect Your Smile with a Mouthguard

Spring sports are ramping up and children all around the country are gathering their equipment and uniforms.  Cleats, shin guards, and knee pads are in high demand this time of year and are designed to protect your kids from injuries.  But what about their mouth?  Sure, ball players may wear a face mask when standing in the role of catcher, but what about soccer, volleyball, and lacrosse players.  Our Laguna Hills dentist wants to help you protect your child’s smile.  Talk with us about the importance of mouthguards and see what style is best for you.

Pre-made mouthguards

Mouthguards that are made at a factory are good for general use.  They act as a cushion for your bones and teeth if your player clenches their jaw.  They are not as good at protecting your children’s teeth since they are not molded to the unique shape of your child’s teeth.  Still, any protection is better than no protection and wearing one will reduce the possibilities of cosmetic or restorative dentistry.

Boil/Bite Mouthguards

Young children whose teeth are still moving and growing benefit from this style of mouthguard.  The mouthguard is held in boiling water for a bit and then inserted into the mouth to fit to the shape of the mouth and teeth.  They are commonly found in black, so determine a method for keeping your child’s mouthguard from getting lost, or just buy an extra one (or four) to use as backup.  For a few dollars, these are easy to replace.

The benefits of this type of mouthguard give young teeth extra protection on the field or court and reduce the possibilities of a chipped or broken tooth.

Customized Mouthguards

Our Laguna Hills dentist offers custom-made mouthguards for teens and adults whose teeth won’t change much over the upcoming years.  These mouthguards offer the best protection for your bones and teeth.  They eliminate grinding tendencies on your jaw and are molded specifically to your teeth.  High impact sports players, or patients who clench their jaws while they sleep benefit from these custom-fit mouthguards.

This year when shopping for spring sports, add a mouthguard to your child’s required uniform.  You’ll prevent the need for costly cosmetic dental procedures and protect their teeth from damage.  Schedule an appointment with our Laguna Hills dentist to determine what style of mouthguard may be best for your child or give us a call to discuss your options.  Sports are a wonderful source of exercise and self-improvement.  Don’t let the season come to an early close because of a preventable injury.  Learn more about oral health and protecting young teeth on our Facebook page.