Top 5 Reasons Student-Athletes Need Mouthguards
When should student-athletes use mouthguards?
Back to school often means back to sport for many students and parents. Ensuring your children have a safe and enjoyable experience on the court, pitch, or field is a top priority. While many parents spend a lot of time selecting the proper helmets, knee pads, or shoes, it can be easy to overlook an essential piece of gear: the mouthguard.
Moldable mouthguards are crucial to preventing dental injuries during sports. The American Dental Association recommends sporting mouthguards for children of any age to prevent injury during play.
“ A well-fitted, custom mouthguard provides a cushioning effect that helps absorb and disperse impact forces from blows to the face or jaw. This can significantly reduce the risk of broken teeth, injuries to the lips, tongue, jaw, and even concussions.”
Reasons to Wear a Mouthguard
Protecting your child’s teeth is essential; any mouthguard should be molded to fit your child. If you have questions, Dr. Crowley or Dr. Iachini can help you select the correct type of mouthguard during your appointment.
A well-fitting mouthguard is more comfortable and offers more protection. Before use, the mouthguard should be molded to fit your child.
Protected Teeth—Mouthguards protect teeth against injury. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, as many as 39% of dental injuries in children result from sports, most commonly chipped or lost teeth. Mouthguards can protect against these dental injuries.
Reduced Damage to Braces- Mouthguards have also been shown to prevent damage to braces. Impact sports can cause severe damage to braces and even set back treatment plans. Mouthguards can help prevent damage to the braces, gums, and cheeks that may be cut from an impact.
Redistribution of Force- Not all impacts come head-on. Mouthguards are designed to help redistribute force from side blows to the jaw. While mouthguards will not prevent severe head trauma, they may help reposition or align the jaw better to dissipate or absorb impact.
Whole Mouth Protection—Mouthguards protect the teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks, and jaw. They have been shown to prevent bitten tongues, cut cheeks, and more. Equipping your child with a well-fitting, moldable mouthguard can help ensure protection for their entire mouth.
“Fabrication of a custom mouth guard is simple and it begins with a brief appointment where a digital scan is used to render a model from which the appliance is made.”
Using a mouthguard for school sports can help protect your child’s dental health and prevent injury. Ask your dentist if you need help or have questions about your mouthguard.
Or, if a dental emergency or injury does occur, call our Richmond office to schedule an appointment quickly.