Prevent Dental Injuries in Sports

Childhood and adolescence provide ample opportunities to take advantage of organized sports and other activities that encourage healthy and active lifestyles. Involvement in sports, however, always presents a risk for injury, including injuries to the mouth. In fact, among less professional athletes, there is an increased risk and higher prevalence of orofacial injuries. In addition to organized sports such as baseball, basketball, football, ice hockey, and lacrosse, the bicycle has been responsible for an extensive proportion of sports-related dental injuries in children.

Certainly, we want to encourage active and healthy lifestyles for children and adolescents. We also want to encourage the use of athletic mouthguards for the prevention of sports-related injuries to the oral cavity. While teeth may still suffer trauma even if an individual is wearing a mouthguard, an athletic mouthguard helps to prevent and/or minimize the extent of damage to an individual’s smile.

Depending on the age of your child and the teeth present in your child’s mouth, we will recommend one of three types of athletic mouthguards: custom, mouth-formed (“boil-and-bite”), and stock. Custom-fitted mouthguards ensure a close fit for your child’s mouth. With a digital scanner, we now have the capability of fabricating a custom mouthguard without the need for a traditional impression in many situations. Contact Camp Smile Pediatric Dentistry to learn more about custom mouthguards and what we may recommend to protect your child’s smile.

CUSTOM MOUTHGUARDS VS STORE BOUGHT?

Your pediatric dentist may recommend a custom athletic mouthguard for your child to maximize effectiveness and to achieve a comfortable fit. For children who are in transitional dentition with both baby and adult teeth changing positions, your dentist may recommend a “store bought” (also known as “boil-and-bite”) mouthguard.