Keep Kids Safe: Invest in a Sports Mouth Guard for the 2022-2023 Sports Season

School is back in session, which means school sports are about to start (if they haven’t already in your area).

School sports are an excellent way for kids to learn problem-solving skills and how to work well with others. They can also help reduce a child’s stress level, gain more self-esteem and confidence, and keep them healthy.

But there comes a time in nearly any child athlete’s sports experience when they get injured. As parents, we never want to see our kids get hurt, and that’s why we’re advocates for protective sports gear – something that should include a sports mouthguard from your Gardena dentist.

What Is a Sports Mouth Guard, and How Does It Differ from Other Mouth Guards?

Our Gardena dentists can provide patients with two types of mouthguards: A sports mouth guard and a nightguard.

It’s easy to assume these mouthguards are interchangeable, but they’re not. Each serves a unique purpose.

A nightguard is made of a different material than a sports guard and covers the tops/biting surfaces of the teeth. The guard is worn at night to protect the teeth and jaw joints from nocturnal clenching and grinding (bruxism), which can:

• Wear down the enamel
• Cause cracks in the teeth
• Contribute to fractured teeth
• Strain the jaw joints
• Cause chronic headaches
• Cause earaches
• Make it difficult to chew or speak

On the other hand, a sports guard is an appliance that helps prevent injuries. The teeth in the upper arch fit into the guard, covering every tooth’s surface.

Sports mouth guards can protect your child’s teeth if your child:

• Is tackled
• Falls and hits their head/face on the ground
• Gets hit in the face with a ball or someone’s arm (like when going for a rebound)

Your Gardena dentist can even create a special sports guard for children with braces to prevent soft tissue injuries from the brackets and archwire.

How Long Does a Sports Mouth Guard Last?

Sports guards are made with a high-quality, durable thermoplastic material (ethylene-vinyl acetate) that can last for years – if they’re cared for properly. Here are a few tips that can help your child’s sports guard last longer:

• Avoid chewing on the guards (chewing compromises the material, causing it to tear, which not only weakens it but also makes the guard a breeding ground for bacteria
• Don’t expose the guard to sunlight or heat
• Clean the guard properly (ask your Gardena dentist for cleaning tips)
• Store properly to prevent dirt or damage

Does a Sports Mouth Guard in Gardena Really Make a Difference?

Dental sports guards are essential for protecting a child’s teeth and the soft tissues of the mouth. The guards create a barrier between the teeth and the tongue and cheeks, helping to prevent any bruising or lacerations.

Sports guards can also help prevent:

• Jaw fractures
• Brain hemorrhages
• Neck injuries
• Unconsciousness (in some cases)
• Concussion

Such injuries often happen when the lower jaw makes contact with a hard surface (an arm, ball, bat, or the ground) and jams it into the upper jaw. The guard again acts as a barrier, stabilizing the jaw when an athlete is struck.

And yes, sports mouth guards also protect the teeth. Studies have found that sports mouth guards can protect against the following:

• Fractured teeth
• Knocked-out teeth
• Trauma that can damage the nerve
• Trauma that can cause abscesses

When Does My Child Need to Wear a Sports Guard?

Ideally, a child (or any level of athlete – even weekend warriors) should wear a sports mouth guard for every sport. Sports guards are just as important as any type of protective equipment like shin guards and shoulder pads.

Some sports, like hockey, require mouth guards for kids to participate. Others are more lenient, but we still highly recommend investing in a mouth guard for your child – especially if they engage in:

• Contact sports (football, martial arts)
• Ball and stick sports (baseball, softball, cricket)
• Riding sports (cycling, skateboarding, horseback riding)
• Field sports (soccer, rugby)
• Outdoor activities that could result in a fall (rollerblading or skating, skiing, snowboarding, waterskiing, mountain biking)

If you’re not sure if you need to invest in a sports mouth guard from your child’s Gardena children's dentist, think about what could potentially go wrong while your child engages in the sport. In many cases, the wisest choice is to protect your child’s teeth with a mouth guard.

What Happens During a Sports Guard Appointment?

To start, the dentist will take impressions of your child’s teeth. They can do this using impression material or an intraoral camera.

The impressions will then be used to create models on which the mouth guard is fabricated.

The appointment takes 15-30 minutes at most and is followed by a second appointment when the dentist will deliver the sports guard and provide care instructions.

How Much Does a Sports Mouth Guard in Gardena Cost?

Some parents opt to get sports guards from a supermarket or sporting goods store since the cost is about half that of one from a Gardena dentist.

However, these guards aren’t custom-made. They won’t fit your child’s mouth as well as one made especially for them, leading to problems. The biggest issue is that the guard won’t do its job upon impact. Another issue is that store bought guards can be uncomfortable and cause soft tissue sores. In fact, one recent study found that most participants preferred custom mouth guards to prefabricated guards.

A custom dental sports guard can cost around $60. Some insurance companies cover part or all of the cost, but most do not pay for sports guards.

Keep Your Child in the Game by Protecting Their Oral Health

When your kid loves sports, there’s nothing more you want to do than to support them. You also want to keep them healthy and safe. One of the best ways to do that is by investing in protective gear, including a custom sports guard from their Gardena dentist.

Contact our team to schedule an appointment for a custom sports guard in Gardena!