Should My Child Wear a Mouthguard? Protecting Your Child’s Teeth

Parents always want the best for their children when it comes to protecting their kids’ dental health. Taking care of the child’s oral well-being is a huge responsibility that also needs proper professional guidance. Maintaining regular hygiene and visiting the dentist at least twice a year for routine dental checkups are essential parts of the process. However, these are not enough to completely protect your kid’s teeth from any kind of damage. 

Kids always tend to get hurt while playing or doing any kind of physical activity. Children not wearing mouthguards are 60 times more likely to suffer dental injuries during athletic activities. ​That is why they face a lot of dental injuries and sometimes get badly injured on their faces. This leads then to a broken, chipped, or cracked tooth. Wearing a mouthguard can prevent injuries and shield your child from various dental problems that may arise from such injuries. In this blog, learn why your child needs a mouthguard to prevent dental emergencies and complex procedures. 

What is a Mouthguard?

A mouthguard serves as a barrier against potential oral injuries by covering and cushioning the teeth, gums, and jaws. It is usually composed of a flexible, durable material that can evenly distribute forces to lower dental trauma. 

A pediatric orthodontist might also recommend mouthguards for children undergoing orthodontic treatment. This happens especially to those with braces, as extra protection is often necessary. A systematic review found that the prevalence of dental trauma among mouthguard users was 7.5% to 7.75%, compared to 48.31% to 59.98% among non-users.

Benefits of a Mouthguard

Wearing a mouthguard has several benefits for safeguarding your child’s dental health. Consider the advantages of this straightforward but efficient tool. This can range from minimizing oral injuries to encouraging improved performance. Find out the primary advantages of using a mouthguard from a pediatric dentist in New York, NY. They guarantee that your child’s grin will always be healthy. Here are the benefits: 

Preventing Dental Injuries

The main goal of a mouthguard is to protect your child’s teeth from harm. A cushioning effect that absorbs and distributes impact forces makes cut lips and other oral injuries less likely.

Soft Tissue Protection

A mouthguard helps protect teeth, the tongue, cheeks, and lips, among other soft tissues of the mouth. By serving as a barrier, it reduces the possibility of cuts and other gum issues during sports or physical activities.

Jaw Protection

Certain mouthguards lower the risk of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injuries and jaw fractures. They stabilize the jaw and prevent it from clenching or overextending.

Better Performance

A comfortable mouthguard can improve your child’s performance by enabling them to breathe and talk more clearly during athletic activities. It boosts their self-esteem and frees them from worrying about possible tooth injury so they can concentrate on their game.

Protect Your Child’s Teeth from Sudden Injuries

Do you always fear your kid’s teeth getting injured while playing games or sports? If so, then you have found the proper prevention for your teeth. Some children also have a tendency to grind their teeth at night, and guards can prevent that. We aim to protect your kid’s teeth from numerous dental injuries and reduce the chances of tooth loss. These guards are custom-made, so do not waste any more time. Book an appointment with us today.