Mouthguards Aren’t Just for Football

Are you doing all you can to protect your child’s smile? If your child is not wearing a mouthguard during sports, you may need to reconsider. A study by the ADA found that individuals are sixty percent times more likely to damage their teeth while playing sports if they are not wearing a mouthguard, and more than 200,000 mouth-related injuries are prevented each year by wearing a mouthguard.

Oral trauma sports-related mouth injuries are nothing to be taken lightly. Dental injuries can be costly and irreversible in many cases. An athletic mouthguard can help patients avoid chipped, broken and avulsed teeth as well as lacerations to the lips and cheeks. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that a well-fit mouthguard can also help prevent concussions in youth sports. It is a minor investment compared to the invaluable protection it can offer your child.

Custom Sports Mouthguards

Mouthguards are a common piece of equipment for football players and boxers. However, participants of any type of contact sport should consider a mouthguard. While you can certainly buy a stock or “boil and bite” mouthguard at your local sporting goods store, patients gain maximum protection and comfort from a mouthguard that is custom fabricated by a dentist.

Mouthguards from your dentist are durable and tailored to fit every crevice of your bite, which not only makes it more comfortable to wear, but also provides the most protection. With a custom sports mouthguard, you should be able to breathe and speak easily while wearing it. This is a welcome advantage for kids who are prone to removing or adjusting their mouthpiece throughout a game or practice.

At Southern Oaks Family Dental Care, we offer custom athletic mouthguards to pediatric patients. We closely adhere to the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons’ five basic criteria for a successful mouthguard, which include a secure fit, lightweight design, durable, easy to clean and properly sized.

Don’t worry; getting a custom fit mouthguard at our Baton Rouge is a simple and quick process. We only need to take a brief impression of your teeth, and we will call you when your mouthguard is ready. To schedule your appointment before the season starts, please contact Southern Oaks Family Dental Care. Don’t let a mouth injury stand in the way of your child’s ability to compete.