Mouth Guards: Do Kids Really Need Them?

A return to school sports is finally in sight! Soon kids will be back out on the playing field and you may be wondering if they need a mouth guard to protect their teeth as well as their jaw and gums. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), kids of all ages, genders, and levels of competitive play can benefit from protective mouth guards. In fact, nearly 40 percent of all dental injuries are sports related, many of which could have been either avoided or diminished if a mouth guard had been worn. So, the answer to, “Does my child really need a mouth guard?” is YES!

Who needs a mouth guard?

Facial injuries can happen during any athletic activity, but, according to the ADA, a mouth guard is recommended if your child participates in high contact sports such as, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, wrestling, and even a few of the more seemingly low-level contact sports like baseball and softball. More and more, you are seeing professional athletes such as Steph Curry (NBA), Mike Trout (MLB), and many more, use mouth guards or some sort of protection for their teeth/lips/cheek. All it takes is one errant elbow or one bad hop to end up in the dental chair. 

What should I know about mouth guards? 

There are a couple main options when it comes to buying a mouth guard. You can buy a pre-made version at a drug or sporting goods store, or you can have a custom-made mouth guard that’s custom fit for your child’s face and mouth by your dentist. While both types offer protection, the custom-made mouth guard is superior for a number of important reasons.

• A custom mouth guard uses your child’s exact specifications for a far more comfortable fit and it will be made from material that will not wear down over short periods of time.
• Custom-made mouth guards are generally thinner and sleeker, so they are usually barely noticeable. 
• If it is more comfortable and less noticeable, it is more likely to be worn regularly by your child.

MYTH: Not every mouth guard looks and feels like a football mouth guard.

Wearing a store-bought mouth guard is certainly better than not wearing one at all. However, it may not fit quite as well, or last as long. Typically, these kinds of guards are “boil-and-bite”; That being said, it is effective and more affordable, but in the long run, the better option may be to have a custom mouth guard custom fit by your dentist.

What are the steps in getting a custom-made mouth guard?

So, you have identified your child’s need for protection from injury and you want to decrease the chances of any lasting damage to your child’s mouth. Now what? At Vacca Family Dentistry, our goal is to help make your decisions easy and as comfortable as possible. We can fit your child for a mouth guard using their exact specifications, so you can be rest assured that they are playing their desired sport safely. Schedule your appointment early so your child has the protection needed before school starts or before their season starts.

As always, we encourage everyone who has not yet had their regular dental cleaning or exam to schedule it today. If you have any questions or concerns, we are always here for you at Vacca Family Dentistry.  Give our office a call today: (804) 739-9191