Childhood is an excellent time to get into athletics. A developing mind is incredible at associating movements involved in physical activity and deeply rooting it in athleticism that can be built on as children develop. However, while sports are great for kids, some of these activities can be more physical than others. The more contact-driven sports require mouthguards.
Without a mouthguard, your child is almost guaranteed to experience damage to their teeth if they are in sports like football, lacrosse, hockey, or martial arts. While children’s teeth are only temporary, that does not mean trauma to the mouth is acceptable. Here are some benefits of sports mouthguards!
Shock Absorption
When the body prepares to experience physical contact, the human jaw tends to brace for impact by clamping down. While this reaction is purely defensive and works in minor situations like preparing for small falls on the playground, it can cause severe dental damage in a sport, where an instance of contact might not be as predictable as a simple instance of falling.
Having something for the teeth to brace at all times prevents this instinct from causing any damage to a developing jaw and bite. Thick rubberized material acts as an excellent method for absorbing shock in something like a football collision—especially if it is customized and molded to the bite in question. While this might seem minor, it can save your child from something as minor as a chipped tooth and as significant as a damaged jaw.
Less Dental Emergencies
A mouthguard will significantly reduce the chance of a pediatric dental emergency—which is very time-consuming, expensive, inconvenient, and scary.
It is intimidating enough to have your loved one in a sport that emphasizes contact. The number one concern is that no injuries to the body occur at all. However, a nice thing about sports mouthguards is that they can give you more peace of mind. If your child uses a mouthguard, their chances of sustaining a jaw injury are significantly reduced. As far as damage to the teeth is concerned, mouthguards reduce that possibility to almost zero if it is properly fitted and utilized.
Talk to Your Pediatric Dentist
Don’t just go to a sporting goods store and buy a random mouthguard you know nothing about! You should always talk to your pediatric dentist and see what type of mouthguard is right for your child!
For example, if your child plays football, you will want a mouthguard that can attach to the helmet’s facemask. Why? Unattached mouthguards can be swallowed upon collision and lodged in the throat, resulting in choking. Some parents might not consider these situations when buying a mouthguard; however, your pediatric dentist is an expert on these safety accessories and can make great suggestions on protecting your child during sports.
Book An Appointment with Sprout Pediatric Dentistry!
What we care about most is that your child is safe and that their smile is as beautiful after the big game as it was before they put on their gear!
Dr. Amanda and her team can give you great insights into which mouthguards would be best for your child based on their sport, dental history, etc. Pediatric dentistry is constantly evolving, just like our child’s smile, and you’d be surprised just how far mouthguard technology and knowledge have come, even in the past five years. We can also help give you pointers on how best to fit a mouthguard to your child’s bite so they get the best possible outcome and protection.
Book an appointment online, or give us a call! We look forward to seeing you and your family!
