The sun is shining, school is out, and your kids likely have a lot of free time on their hands. It is a great time to get outside and play. With all the fun and excitement that comes with recreational activities, accidents are bound to happen. If your child is participating in a local sports league or an athletic camp this summer, consider investing in a mouthguard. Mouthguards provide an extra layer of protection to keep your child’s smile safe during their extracurricular activities. 

Sports – Related Dental Emergencies

More than five million teeth are lost every year in the US due to sports injuries. Most sports-related dental emergencies are a result of a participant getting smacked in the face by equipment or another player. The upper arch of teeth is affected most often because it sticks out further than the bottom one. Tooth fractures, knocked-out teeth, and severe injuries to the soft tissue in the oral cavity are common dental emergencies due to sports.  

If your child does experience a dental emergency, seek care immediately. Many dental offices offer emergency dental services after hours and on the weekends. Knocked-out teeth typically can be saved if action is taken quickly. If your child does knock out a tooth, immediately pick it up by the chewing surface (do not touch the roots!) and put it in a container of milk, or have your child hold the tooth in their mouth between their lips and gums.  

Shield Your Child’s Smile!

An ideal way to protect your child’s smile while participating in contact sports is to have them wear a mouthguard. Mouthguards create a protective barrier between your child’s teeth and outside forces. If your child does end up experiencing a blow to the face, mouthguards lessen the risk of a dental emergency. 

Football, hockey, and lacrosse players are often required to wear a mouthguard by their sports league. However, sports with less aggressive contact, such as soccer, baseball, and volleyball do not always require the use of mouthguards, but participants could greatly benefit from voluntarily wearing one.

Common Recreational Activities The ADA Recommends Wearing a Mouthguard For:

Basketball	Martial Arts	Rugby	Equestrian Events	Field Events	Weight Lifting	Softball
Boxing	Lacrosse	Soccer	Bicycling	Gymnastics	Skiing	Squash
Combat Sports	Hockey	Water Polo	Baseball	Inline Skating	Skateboarding	Surfing
Football	Handball	Wrestling	Acrobatics	Racquetball	Shot-Putting	Volleyball

Types Of Mouthguards

There are several types of mouthguards available on the market to fit every family’s budget. Some are more effective than others. However, wearing any mouthguard is better than not wearing one.  

Custom: Dentists construct custom mouthguards from a mold of the patient’s teeth, creating a perfect, snug fit. Players often prefer custom mouthguards because of their superior fit and comfort level. Many dental offices offer custom mouthguard services. These mouthguards are the most expensive kind but offer superior protection and often last for five years.  

Boil and Bite: Most sporting goods stores have boil and bite mouthguards on their shelves. Boil and bite mouthguards are more affordable than custom mouthguards and provide a better fit than stock mouthguards. Once this mouthguard is purchased, the user will boil it to soften the material. The user will then bite down on the tray to leave an impression of their teeth. If you buy a boil and bite mouthguard, be sure to follow the instructions on the package. Try to buy boil and bite mouthguards that have earned the ADA seal of approval.  

Stock: Stock mouthguards are the most affordable oral protection option. They are ready to use as soon as you purchase them. However, stock mouthguards are often bulky and ill-fitting. While these mouthguards do provide some protection, they can make breathing and talking difficult.  

When it comes to your child’s smile, you can never be too cautious. People only get one set of adult teeth, so it is vital to keep it intact as long as possible. If you want more information on how to keep your child’s smile safe while participating in recreational activities, give us a call! We can help design a plan to keep your child’s smile safe on and off the field.