As a parent, you want your child to enjoy sports, develop their skills, and have fun, but you also want them to stay safe. While sports are a great way to encourage teamwork, exercise, and discipline, they can also come with some risks, especially when it comes to dental health. Whether it’s a fast-moving ball, an accidental collision, or a fall, oral injuries in young athletes are more common than you might think.

One of the most effective ways to prevent dental injuries during sports is with a mouthguard. But not all mouthguards are created equal. Let’s take a closer look at why custom-made mouthguards are the best choice for protecting your child’s teeth during sports.

Why Choose a Custom-Made Mouthguard?

When it comes to protecting your child’s teeth, a custom-made mouthguard offers a level of protection that generic, over-the-counter mouthguards simply can’t match. Here’s why:

1. Better Fit and Comfort
   A custom mouthguard is specifically molded to your child’s teeth, ensuring a snug, comfortable fit. Since it’s designed to fit their unique dental structure, it will stay in place during activities and won’t shift, minimizing the chances of discomfort or distractions. This fit also helps prevent irritation to the gums and mouth, something that can happen with a generic mouthguard.
   
2. Superior Protection
   Because custom mouthguards are made to fit your child’s mouth precisely, they offer better shock absorption. The material is designed to cushion the teeth more effectively, reducing the risk of injury during impact. A properly fitted custom mouthguard distributes the force of a blow more evenly across the mouth, reducing the chances of cracked or knocked-out teeth, jaw injuries, and even concussions.
   
3. Better Breathing and Speech
   While mass-produced mouthguards can feel bulky and make it hard to speak or breathe properly, a custom mouthguard is designed to allow your child to speak clearly and breathe easily. This is especially important for athletes who need to communicate with teammates or coaches during practice or games.
   
4. Long-Lasting and Durable
   Custom-made mouthguards are crafted from high-quality materials that are durable and designed to last. These mouthguards will offer years of protection, unlike generic ones that may need to be replaced frequently as they wear down or lose their shape.
   
5. Personalized Design
   Custom mouthguards can be made in a variety of colors or even with fun designs, making them more appealing for kids who may be more excited to wear them. When children are involved in the design process, they’re more likely to wear the mouthguard consistently, which is key for ongoing protection.
   

Common Sports Injuries That Can Be Prevented with a Mouthguard

• Broken or Chipped Teeth: These injuries can occur during a collision or an accidental elbow or ball strike to the face.
• Knocked-Out Teeth: A direct hit to the mouth or jaw can cause a tooth to be completely knocked out. A mouthguard can prevent this by cushioning the impact.
• Jaw Fractures: Mouthguards protect not just the teeth but also the jaw by absorbing and redistributing the forces from any impact to the face.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: A mouthguard can also help reduce cuts or bruising to the inside of the lips and cheeks, which can happen when the teeth come into contact with the soft tissues during a fall or collision.
• Reduce Concussion Impact: While a mouthguard doesn’t directly prevent concussions, it can reduce the risk by absorbing some of the forces that travel through the mouth to the brain.

Sports like football, hockey, basketball, and martial arts are often associated with a higher risk of these kinds of injuries, but even sports like soccer, baseball, and lacrosse can present risks to your child’s dental health.

When Should You Get a Custom-Made Mouthguard?

It’s ideal to get a custom mouthguard as soon as your child begins participating in any sport where the risk of oral injury exists. As a parent, you should talk to your child’s dentist to ensure they have the proper protection. Your dentist at Medical Arts Dentistry will take an impression of your child’s teeth and create a mouthguard that is specifically designed for them. It’s a quick, easy process, and the peace of mind it brings is invaluable.

How to Care for a Mouthguard

To ensure the mouthguard stays in good condition, teach your child how to care for it properly. Here are a few tips:

• Clean It After Each Use: Rinse the mouthguard with cool water after each use. You can also brush it gently with a toothbrush and mild soap.
• Store It Safely: When not in use, store the mouthguard in its case to keep it clean and protected from damage.
• Check for Wear: Over time, the mouthguard may begin to show signs of wear. If it’s no longer fitting comfortably or offering protection, it’s time to have it replaced.

Investing in a custom-made mouthguard is one of the smartest choices you can make to protect your child’s dental health during sports. Unlike mass-produced options, a custom mouthguard provides superior comfort, fit, and protection, helping prevent injuries that could affect their smile for life. With the right mouthguard, your child can stay focused on the game and enjoy sports without worrying about their teeth or jaw. If your child plays contact sports or is at risk of injury, don’t wait—schedule an appointment with your dentist to get them fitted with a custom mouthguard today.

Get Your Custom Mouth Guards at Medical Arts Dentistry in Savannah and Georgetown

At Medical Arts Dentistry, we are dedicated to the long-term dental health of Garden City, Richmond Hill, and the surrounding Savannah communities. We offer family dentistry for children and seniors, athletic mouthguards, dental sleep medicine, as well as treatments for TMJ and orofacial pain. If you’re ready for a regular check-up and professional cleaning, or a consultation about oral appliance therapy, dental sleep medicine, our cosmetic dentistry options or dental restoration treatments, call 912-355-0605 for our Savannah location and 912-921-0401 for our Georgetown location.