If your child plays a contact sport, or one in which he could collide with a hard surface (think ice skating, basketball, bicycling, skateboarding, and so on), he needs a mouthguard. This flexible mold covers the upper teeth and can help prevent broken teeth, as well as cuts and bruises to the lips, tongue, and inside of cheeks. A mouthguard may even protect against other serious injuries to the head, neck, and jaw, such as concussions.
A mouthguard is especially important for kids with braces, since a blow to the face or mouth could damage the braces' brackets (the same goes for other orthodontic appliances or dental work). If your child has braces on her lower jaw, her dentist may recommend a mouthguard for her bottom teeth too.
What Kind of Mouthguard Is Best?
There are three types of athletic mouthguards.
- Stock mouthguards are sold at sporting goods stores and are typically inexpensive. A stock mouthguard is not adjustable and your child must hold it in place by closing his jaw. These mouthguards are often uncomfortable and kids don't like wearing them; they also offer the lowest level of protection.
- Boil and bite mouthguards are also readily available at sporting goods stores. These are softened with hot water, then inserted into your child's mouth and allowed to adapt to the shape of his teeth and jaw. Because it is closer to a custom fit (if you follow the instructions carefully), this kind of mouthguard is more protective and more comfortable.
- Custom-fitted mouthguards are made by your child's dentist and designed to fit her exclusively. They are more expensive and take about a week to make, but they offer the best protection.
Care for Your Mouthguard
Recent research shows that your child's mouthguard, while critical to protect his teeth, may also increase the chance of infection in his mouth. Especially if the mouthguard becomes jagged or sharp, it may cause cuts or abrasions in the mouth, which can then lead to infections of the soft tissue. Keep a spare mouthguard handy and take care to keep mouthguards clean.
- Brush teeth before and after wearing the mouthguard.
- Clean the mouthguard daily with an antimicrobial denture-cleaning solution.
- Store the mouthguard in a well ventilated, hard plastic case.
- Avoid exposing the mouthguard to heat sources (the sun, a closed car, very hot water).
- Warn your child not to share his mouthguard with a teammate; he should avoid handling others' mouthguards, too.
- Replace the mouthguard if it gets bent or the edges become sharp, or if your child develops an irritation in his mouth.
Sources:
American Dental Association: For the dental patient: Protecting Teeth with Mouthguards. Journal of the American Dental Association, Vol. 137, December 2006.
Glass, Richard T, Conrad, Robert S, Wood, Charles Rieger, et al.: Protective Athletic Mouthguards: Do They Cause Harm? Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach. September 2009 vol. 1 no. 5 411-415.
