MOUTHGUARDS

Mouthguards are crucial pieces of equipment for any child participating in potentially injurious recreational or sporting activities. Mouthguards not only protect the oral region from traumatic injury, preserving both the aesthetic appearance and the health of the smile, but they also help minimize the risk of concussion and traumatic brain injury.

In addition, mouthguards are also sometimes used to prevent tooth damage in children who grind (brux) their teeth at night.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends the use of dental mouthguards during any sporting or recreational activity. Most store-bought mouthguards cost less than $10, making them an affordable investment for every parent.

 

How can mouthguards protect my child?

The majority of sporting organizations now require participants to routinely wear mouthguards. Though mouthguards are primarily designed to protect the teeth, they can also vastly reduce the degree of force transmitted from a trauma impact point (jaw) to the central nervous system (base of the brain). In this way, mouthguards help minimize the risk of concussion and traumatic brain injury, which is especially important for younger children.

 

Mouthguards Reduce the Prevalence of:

  • Cheek lesions

  • Concussions

  • Gum and soft tissue injuries

  • Jawbone fractures

  • Lip lesions

  • Neck injuries

  • Tongue lesions

  • Tooth fractures

TYPES OF MOUTHGUARDS

Though there are literally thousands of mouthguard brands, most brands fall into three major categories: stock mouthguards, boil-and-bite mouthguards and customized mouthguards.

 

Points to Consider When Choosing a Mouthguard:

  • How much is available to spend on the mouthguard?

  • How often does the child play sports?

  • What kind of sport does the child play? (Basketball and baseball tend to cause the most oral injuries.)

 

Comparing the Types of Mouthguards:

CUSTOMIZED MOUTHGUARDS – These mouthguards offer the greatest degree of protection and are custom-made by the dentist. First, the dentist makes an impression of the child’s teeth using special material, and then the mouthguard is constructed over the mold. Customized mouthguards are more expensive and take longer to fit, but are more comfortable, are orthodontically correct and are fully approved by the dentist.

BOIL-AND-BITE MOUTHGUARDS – These mouthguards are usually made from thermoplastic and are easily located at most sporting goods stores. First, the thermoplastic must be immersed in hot water to make it pliable, and then it must be pressed on the child’s teeth to create a custom mold. Boil-and-bite mouthguards are slightly more expensive than stock mouthguards, but tend to offer more protection, feel more comfortable in the mouth, and allow for easy speech production and breathing.

STOCK MOUTHGUARDS – These mouthguards can be bought directly off the shelf and immediately fitted into the child’s mouth. The fit is universal (one-size-fits-all), meaning the mouthguard doesn’t adjust. Stock mouthguards are very cheap, easy to fit, and quick to locate at sporting goods stores. Pediatric dentists favor this type of mouthguard least, as it provides minimal protection, obstructs proper breathing and speaking, and tends to be uncomfortable.