Should Children Be Wearing Mouth Guards? A Guide To Protecting Your Child's Teeth

The Importance of Protecting Your Child's Teeth

Given this situation, you may wonder whether your child requires a mouth guard while playing sports. One might think that an accident will never occur; however, dental injuries during sporting activities are more prevalent than people imagine. A survey conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA) has shown that 3.1 million children under the age of 16 participate in sports activities that result in dental injuries per year. A mouth guard for children can greatly reduce the risk of dental injuries, allowing your child to play with confidence and without the risk of damaging their teeth.

Stock Mouth Guards

Stock mouth guards come in a ready-to-wear size and shape. These are the cheapest and can be purchased from most sports stores. They are usually thick and may not fit well, which may cause discomfort to the user. Stock mouth guards may be useful for children who have not yet engaged in sporting activities.

Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guards

Boil-and-bite mouth guards are more effective than stock mouth guards that come in standard sizes. They are made from thermoplastic material that softens in hot water. After boiling, the mouth guard starts returning to its original shape as your child bites into it. This makes it more comfortable and protective than stock mouth guards, making it ideal for athletes in contact sports.

Custom Mouth Guards

Custom-made mouth guards are the most appropriate and provide an optimum fit along with maximum protection. These are special mouth guards prescribed by a dentist or an orthodontist and designed to fit your child’s teeth perfectly. It is costlier than other generic types of mouth guards, but they are better in terms of comfort, durability, and efficiency for children.

Check out this video from Dr. Athar detailing which mouth guard is better.

Prevent Dental Injuries

As mentioned earlier, accidents like these pose a significant risk to children, especially during activities such as sports. A mouth guard can be used to prevent chipped or broken teeth, damaged gums, and lip injuries.

Protect Soft Tissues

Apart from protecting the teeth, mouth guards also shield other tissues in the mouth, such as the gums, cheeks, and tongue, from injuries. The only foreseeable effect of engaging in physical activities without a mouth guard is that a blow to the face might result in abrasion or laceration within the mouth.

Reduce the Risk of Concussions

Research indicates that wearing a mouth guard may help prevent concussions from getting worse. Although the mouth guard can provide little protection against a concussion, it can cushion some of the impact from a blow to the jaw, and this may reduce the impact on the brain.

Promotes Confidence

Knowing that the mouth guard is protecting the child’s teeth can bring relief to both the child and the parents. This confidence will allow them to perform more freely during sports, without the fear of injury.

Comfort and Fit

A mouth guard should ideally protect your child's teeth and not cause any discomfort when they wear it. If the mouth guard is too tight, it will be uncomfortable to wear for a long time or any type of sports at all. If it is too loose, it may not offer enough protection to the teeth. For a better experience, go for the boil-and-bite or get one made by your dentist.

Durability

Children tend to be rough with their gear, so it's important to choose mouth guards that are durable enough to withstand intense sporting activities. Of all the types, custom-made mouth guards are the most long-lasting, but for those who engage in less physical contact, boil-and-bite mouth guards are essential for children.

Material

Mouth guards for children are mainly made of rubber or silicone; these materials are comfortable and offer reasonable protection. While most custom-made mouth guards can be made from advanced materials that are easily sourced, more complex mouth guards use higher-end materials for better durability and fit.

Maintenance

Cleaning and maintaining your child's mouth guard is crucial to keeping it in top shape and bacteria-free. Custom-fit mouth guards can be rinsed with mild soap and water, while stock or boil-and-bite mouth guards require a special cleaning solution.

Type of Sport

It is advisable to select a mouth guard depending on the type of sport your child is participating in. For instance, children who participate in high-contact sports will require a stronger mouth guard than children involved in low-impact sports. Moreover, the mouth guards that are required to absorb more impact are generally thicker and offer higher protection.

Make It a Habit

Remind your child to wear a mouth guard each time they engage in the sport. Make sure wearing it is as mandatory as wearing a helmet or shin guards during the game.

Explain the Importance

Explain to your child the reasons why they need to wear a mouth guard. Describe how it shields their teeth and will prevent them from getting injured so they can still engage in activities.

Let Them Choose Their Mouth Guards

Allowing the child to have some influence on which mouth guard to use may make them more inclined to wear it. Let them choose a mouth guard in a color or design that they like, as this will add fun and excitement for them.

Check the Fit Regularly

It’s important to note that as your child grows and their teeth develop, they will outgrow their mouth guard. Regularly check its fit and condition, and replace it as needed.