Mouth Protection and Sports

          Protection for chest, knees, shins, elbows and heads is a requirement for many different high-school and college sports, however, we often neglect to protect one very valuable area of our youth...the mouth.  It is only in boxing and football that a mouth guard is generally required even though the mouth is the most injured body part from sports like Little League baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey and volleyball.  Even bike and scooter riding accidents can be damaging to the mouth and teeth.  A mouth guard not only helps protect the teeth from a blow to the mouth, but it also helps to absorb shock in the chin. This is why we highly encourage the use of a mouth guard for any child involved with these types of activities.  

          There are basically three different types of mouth guards available to you and generally cost from $10-$60 depending on the quality of the mouth guard.

     Basic * a generic pre-made guard that comes in one size.  These are often ill-fitting and can make it difficult to speak and breath.  These are usually found in the sports section of your sporting goods store.

     Boil-and-Bite   * this is a plastic material that is boiled and then bitten into by your child.  The hot water makes the plastic pliable and it then roughly forms to the shape of the child's teeth when bitten into.  This offers a somewhat better fit than the basic but can be troublesome to make.  These are also available in the sporting goods stores.

     Custom-Fitted Mouth Guard   *   This type of guard offers the best fit, resulting in easier breathing and speech as well as better protection.  The guard is made in-office by your dental professional and is perfectly fitted to your child's mouth and palate.  With a quick visit to our office you can ensure a season of sports and dental safety.

Mouth guard maintenance is simple.  Rinse with cool water after each use and for a better clean use liquid dish soap and cool water.  Avoid hot water, as that may warp the mouth guard and ruin the fit.  A mouth guard will wear out and should be replaced every season or so...depending on how many activities your son or daughter is involved with.

We look forward to helping you protect your child!

Smiles, Holly