How are Mouthguards Beneficial for Kids During Sports?
What is a Mouthguard?
A mouthguard is a protective device designed to protect the teeth, gums, and surrounding soft tissues from injury during contact sports, like football, hockey, boxing, and wrestling. They can also prevent concussions by absorbing the impact of a blow to the head.
Mouthguards are made from different materials that vary in strength and durability. This means that you’ll need to find the right one that meets your needs. You should also make sure it fits if you want it to effectively protect your teeth. Visit a pediatric dentist in Columbia for assessment and discussion on the different types of mouthguards.
What Are The Types of Mouthguards?
Sports mouthguards are designed for high-impact sports such as football and rugby. They come in different types, and they include:
- Stock mouthguards
A stock mouthguard is a pre-formed device that can be bought from a store without needing adjustments to fit the person’s teeth. Stock mouthguards come in different sizes, small, medium, and large. They are affordable, but they may not fit properly.
- Boil and bite protectors
You can get a boil and bite mouth protectors anywhere that sells sporting goods, and they are often a better option than the stock ones. Boil and bite mouthguards require boiling water to soften them before they can be molded by biting down on them for ten seconds or so until they harden into shape. They are more durable, and they might be better for people who want to use them intensively.
- Custom mouthguards
These are designed individually based on a mold of the patient’s teeth. A kid’s dentist near you will usually take an impression of your child’s teeth by applying some material that hardens around their teeth. The mold is used to create mouthguards that will fit in their teeth.
How to Choose the Best Type of Mouthguards for Your Child
The type of mouthguard used depends on the sport you are playing. For example, if you play football, a custom-fitted mouthguard is probably your best option.
The type of mouthguard you choose will also depend on the degree of protection you need. Boil-and-bite mouthguards are sufficient if it’s just for recreational purposes and not for contact sports.
Our kid’s dentist in 29210 will choose the appropriate mouthguard based on your child’s dental needs.
What are the Benefits of Wearing a Protective Mouthguard?
Some people may think that it is an inconvenience but getting mouthguards in Columbia, SC, can save you from having dental work done, which will cost much more than the price of the mouthguard itself!
Mouthguards can prevent injuries, broken teeth, and jaw fractures when worn correctly. Kids who wear a mouthguard are less likely to lose their teeth because they are protected from an impact during play. Mouthguards also help reduce the risk of concussion by absorbing some of the shocks from blows to the head.
Mouthguards may also be worn by people who grind their teeth while sleeping to prevent tooth grinding or bruxism. They also reduce the risk for TMJ disorders.
How to Care for Your Mouthguards?
It is important to care for your mouthguard to ensure that it will last longer and be more comfortable.
The first thing you should do is rinse your mouthguard with cold water after each use. This will remove any bacteria accumulated on it while it was in your mouth.
Store your mouthguard in a dry place when you are done using it so that it doesn’t crack prematurely. Finally, you should brush your teeth after using your mouthguard and before putting it back into your mouth.
Also, visit Dr. Mouna Bosler for a replacement every couple of months.
What Happens When the Mouthguards Break or Chip?
If you are a mouthguard user, you should be aware of the risks of wearing a broken or chipped mouthguard. It is important to visit an emergency kids’ dentist in Columbia to replace it when this happens.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit Kids First Dental in Columbia for more information about mouthguards and which type will be ideal.