With approximately 25 million young people engaging in competitive sports every year, children and teens have become a high-risk group when it comes to dental injuries. And we’re not just talking about hockey and football. Even noncontact sports, such as gymnastics and volleyball, involve some risk of injuries to teeth, lips, cheeks, jaws and past dental work such as crowns or bridgework.
Luckily, there’s an easy, inexpensive and effective solution that can help protect your child’s oral health. More than 200,000 oral injuries could be prevented every year if children wore mouthguards. And mouthguards also help reduce serious concussions in young athletes.
Finding the Right Mouthguard
We can help you determine the best mouthguard for your child, depending on the type of sport he or she plays and comfort level. The most comfortable mouthguard is also the most effective, for a simple reason: An uncomfortable mouthguard is less likely to be worn! Custom mouthguards (made from molds taken of your child’s teeth) tend to be the easiest to wear, but even store-bought “boil-and-bite” guards can do the trick, provided they fit well. What defines a good mouthguard?
- It allows the wearer to speak and breathe normally.
- It doesn’t have tears or holes.
- It fits snugly in the mouth (a loose mouthguard does not fit properly).
- It is easy to clean.
- It provides adequate protection for the sport being played.
Who Should Wear a Mouthguard?
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children—and adults—wear a protective mouthguard when practicing or competing in 29 different sports, including basketball, boxing, field hockey, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, skateboarding, skiing, soccer, surfing, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling, as well as field events such as shotputting. You can’t go wrong wearing a mouthguard. If your child participates in any sport, let us help you find the right protective gear. It’s an easy way to protect your child’s smile from harm.
February is National Children's Dental Health Month! For more information, special offers or tips visit Kids First Dentistry & Orthodontics or call them at 203-571-4538. Locations in Fairfield and Norwalk.
