Odds are that if you have kids, they’ve been involved in sports at some point during their childhood. Competitive sports are a part of millions of adolescents’ lives, and we don’t expect this to change anytime soon.
Physical competition leads to injuries, and when it comes to common sports injuries, maxillofacial injuries (injuries of the mouth) are near the top of the list.
Many of these injuries could be avoided simply by using a mouthguard. In this article, we want to highlight some of the benefits of using a mouthguard, the different options available, and other helpful information.
Benefits
The benefits of wearing a mouthguard for sports are huge. It’s a small precaution with a big payoff in preventing serious injuries. The American Dental Association found that an athlete is 60 times more likely to suffer harm to the teeth when not wearing a mouthguard.
Mouthguard Types
There are three different types of mouthguards.
- Pre-formed
- Mouth-formed
- Custom
Often we find that children choose not to wear mouthguards because they are too cumbersome, fit poorly, or restrict breathing. Ideally, you’ll want to choose a custom-fitted mouthguard to alleviate these issues and offer the best protection for your child’s teeth.
Mouth-formed and pre-formed mouthguards are good options if a custom-fit mouthguard isn’t in the budget. They’re cheaper and can be bought over the counter, although they won’t last as long and won’t be fully form-fit to the wearer’s teeth.
Mouthguard Basics
- If your child has braces, a custom-fit mouthguard is highly recommended.
- Depending on the type of mouthguard you’re looking for, costs range from around $1 for the pre-formed type up to a few hundred dollars for custom-fitted mouthguards. A custom guard could seem well worth it when it prevents serious injury and saves expensive dental surgeries.
- You should regularly clean the mouthguard to prevent infection and spreading disease. Rinse it after each use with cool water.
- Heat can damage a mouthguard, so never leave it in direct sunlight or in a hot car.
- Needless to say, don’t allow your child to share their mouthguard or try another child’s mouthguard.
If you’re interested in learning more about custom-fitted mouthguards, give Susquehanna Dental Arts a call at 717-285-7033. Feel free to share this article with other parents who may be interested in protecting their kids’ oral health!