Should Your Kids Wear Mouth Guards?

According to the American Dental Association, more than 200,000 mouth injuries are prevented each year due to mouth guards.

While most may consider mouth guards to be part of the equipment for adults playing sports, that’s simply not true. Younger kids have a higher chance of injuring their mouths due to physical activity - often because they aren’t as prepared or capable of knowing that certain activities could result in injury, or not having enough experience as to what to anticipate when playing a high impact sport. Coaches, teachers, and parents to educate children participating in physical sports to wear a mouth guard during practice and during games. The younger kids are when they start wearing mouth guards, the better.

There are two main options when it comes to mouth guards. 

Custom - Made Mouth Guard

A custom - made mouth guard is when you visit your dentist and have a mold created to the exact fit of your child’s mouth. While custom - made mouth guards cost more than the kind you purchase at a local pharmacy or sporting goods store, they are better at protecting teeth simply because they fit perfectly in your child’s mouth.  This kind of mouth guard also stays inside your child’s mouth (more easily than a store bought guard) if they should fall or get hit in the face.

Boil and Bite Mouth Guard 

This is a commonly first used mouthguard. Why? Because you can purchase them at just about any store you currently shop at and they are cheaper mouth guards than the custom-made option.

Boil and bite mouth guards are created exactly as the name implies. You boil water on the stove, place the mouth guard mold in the water and once it’s been warmed up enough to bendable and shaped, you have your child place it in their mouth so it cools to the shape of your child's mouth.

While boil and bite mouth guard can be sufficient, custom - made guards are better choice for a handful of reasons. 

For questions about mouth guards or to schedule a mouthguard fitting appointment, contact Smiles by Bergen Dental and ask to speak with a dentist.