What to expect if your child needs a mouth guard?
American Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Yury Slepak, of the Brooklyn Pediatric Dentistry, recommends a custom made athletic mouth guard if your child is playing a sport with a chance for impact.
Why does your child need an athletic mouth guard?
Mouth guards not only protect your child from injury while playing their favorite sport, but it may also be used at night for children who grind their teeth.
Mouth guards can protect your child from the following injuries:
- Concussion (some research has suggested that mouth guards reduce the risk of concussion)
- Gum and soft tissue injury
- Jawbone fractures
- Tooth fractures
- Tongue, lip and cheek lesions
What type of mouth guard should your child use?
There are three types of mouth guards that you can purchase for your child.
- Stock mouth guards – these mouth guards are available in any pharmacy and can be bought directly off the shelf. They are one-size-fits-all and cheaper than the other two varieties. Although they are not custom made, they do offer protection for your child in the event of an injury.
- Boil and bite mouth guards – these can be purchased in a pharmacy or a sporting goods store. They’re made from thermoplastic, which molds to the teeth when placed in hot water. These mouth guards tend to be a bit more expensive, but they fit better and may provide better protection.
- Custom-made mouth guards – these mouth guards must be made by your child’s dentist. First the dentist will take an impression of your child’s teeth, then the mouth guard is constructed over the mold. These mouth guards are the most expensive and take longer to produce, but they are orthodontically accurate and more durable, and they are much more comfortable to wear.
Whatever you choose to get for your child, using an athletic mouth guard will make playing their favorite sport safer. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists advocates the use of mouth guards to not only protect your child’s teeth, but also to help prevent neck injury and brain trauma. Contact your dentist today to find out if your child will benefit from an athletic mouth guard.