As a parent, watching your child play sports is both exciting and anxiety-inducing. You love that they’re being active and bonding with their peers, but there’s always that little voice of worry in the back of your mind. “What if they get hurt?” This is perfectly reasonable, and you can relieve some of this stress just by having your child wear a custom-made athletic mouthguard. At Dr. Glen’s Happy Teeth in Long Beach, we provide sports guards that fit great, are extremely comfortable, and allow parents and coaches to breathe easy from the sidelines.
Ask any dentist what the most common cause is of broken, cracked, and knocked-out teeth, and they will give you the same answer: sports. Both in contact and non-contact games, unexpected impacts to the mouth happen all the time, and they often lead to an emergency dental visit.
You of course don’t want this to happen to your little athlete, but you don’t want them to avoid sports entirely. That’s where safety gear comes into play, and a mouthguard is one of the most important pieces.
While it’s obvious that children who participate in games like football, karate, boxing, lacrosse, and wrestling should wear a mouthguard, it’s also recommended for less physical activities like baseball, basketball, soccer, and even gymnastics.
The truth is that if there is any chance your child’s teeth could come in contact with another player, a ball, or the floor at high speed during their sport, then a mouthguard is highly recommended. This is wise whether they play all the time or just do the occasional pick-up game with friends.
The main problem with getting most children to wear a mouthguard is that many parents give them a one-size-fits-all appliance that is bulky, looks weird, and prevents them from breathing and talking. More often than not, these guards end up getting “forgotten” or “lost.”
That’s why it’s worth it to invest in a custom guard from a dentist designed just for your child. These are made using an impression of a child’s unique teeth. They fit better, are less cumbersome, and provide better defense when needed. Plus, they allow for normal breathing and talking, meaning your child will actually use it!
Before the season starts, be sure to ask our team about getting your child a mouthguard, and that way you can have peace of mind the next time they go out on the field, mat, or court.