Does my child need a mouthguard for sports?

Does my child need a mouthguard for sports

A child should wear a mouthguard for contact sports and activities where falls, elbows, sticks, balls, or collisions can hit the face. Mouthguards cannot prevent every injury, but they can reduce the chance of broken, displaced, or cut teeth and soft tissues.

Football, hockey, lacrosse, boxing, martial arts, basketball, soccer, baseball, skateboarding, and similar activities can all create dental injury risk. Store-bought stock guards are inexpensive but may fit loosely, making it harder to breathe, talk, or keep the guard in place. Boil-and-bite guards fit better when molded carefully, though they may become thin in spots. Custom guards from a dental office usually fit best and are useful for children with braces, high-impact sports, or a history of dental trauma. Growing mouths need guards checked regularly because mixed baby and adult teeth change the fit. A guard that is chewed through, loose, smelly, sharp, or hard to wear should be replaced.

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Key Points

• Mouthguards are smart for sports with contact, speed, falls, or hard equipment.
• A guard only helps when it fits well enough to stay in place.
• Boil-and-bite options can work if molded and worn correctly.
• Custom guards may be better for braces or higher injury risk.
• Replace guards that are loose, torn, heavily chewed, or outgrown.

What This Means for You

Make the mouthguard part of the uniform, not an optional extra tossed in the bag. If your child avoids wearing one because it gags, slips, or blocks speech, ask the dentist about a better fit before the next season starts.

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