Mouthguards 101: How to Choose the Right Fit for Your Child's Sport
Watching your child run onto the field, court, or rink is one of the best parts of being a sports parent, right up until an elbow or a fall turns a good afternoon into a trip to the dentist. A well-fitted mouthguard cushions the teeth, lips, and jaw during collisions, and picking the right one does not have to take much time at all, even for families juggling more than one sport’s schedule.
The tricky part is knowing which mouthguard best fits your child’s needs, because store shelves carry several styles at very different price points and levels of protection. Families across Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and Morgan Hill trust Bay Area Kids Dentist to weigh comfort, cost, and their child’s sport so the guard they choose is one they will actually keep wearing.
Choosing the Right Mouthguard Style
Mouthguards are not only for football and hockey. Basketball, gymnastics, skateboarding, and even bike riding can put teeth at risk since falls and stray equipment can happen in almost any active setting. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry notes that basketball has the highest rate of sports-related dental injuries among high school boys, while field hockey has the highest rate among high school girls. Once you decide your child needs a mouthguard, the next question is which type will fit well enough for them to actually wear it. The three main options are:
- Stock mouthguards: Ready to wear right out of the package, though the looser fit can make them harder to keep in place and may interfere with breathing or talking.
- Boil-and-bite mouthguards: Softened in hot water and then molded around your child’s teeth for a closer fit at a relatively affordable price.
- Custom-fitted mouthguards: Made specifically for your child’s mouth to provide a closer, more comfortable fit during regular use.
The best mouthguard is ultimately one that fits properly, and your child will consistently wear during practices and games. As their teeth continue to develop, that fit can change too. Our team can check a custom mouthguard during regular visits and let you know when growth, dental changes, or a new sport may make it time for an adjustment or replacement.
Matching the Mouthguard to Your Child’s Sport
High-contact sports like football, hockey, and wrestling call for a thicker, more durable mouthguard, while lower-contact activities like gymnastics or cycling may be well served by a lighter option that is easier to talk and breathe around. If your child plays more than one sport, it helps to size a guard for the roughest one on the schedule, and reviewing our tips for spring sports dental safety is a good place to start as new seasons begin.
If your child wears braces, mouthguard selection gets a little more specific, since a standard boil-and-bite guard can shift around brackets and wires or press uncomfortably on the gums. Let us know about any current orthodontic treatment when scheduling a fitting, and our team can recommend a style that works with your child’s smile and continues to fit comfortably as their teeth shift and new teeth come in.
Staying Prepared for the Unexpected
Even with the right gear, accidents can still happen, and having a dental team ready to help makes all the difference. Our pediatric emergency dental care team can walk you through next steps by phone and get your child seen quickly, since prompt care and a timely exam give an injured tooth the best chance at a full recovery.
Reviewing dental injuries in youth sports before the season starts can also help you feel ready no matter what activity your child chooses to pursue this year, whether they are new to a sport or have played it for seasons already.
Protect Your Child’s Smile With Bay Area Kids Dentist
A mouthguard only helps if your child can comfortably keep it in during practices and games, and our board-certified pediatric dentists can check how a guard fits and make sure it stays in place without interfering more than necessary with breathing or speaking. We work with families across Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and Morgan Hill and accept a range of insurance and financing options, including Delta Dental PPO, Cigna Dental, and CareCredit, so we can schedule a fitting that fits your schedule, no matter which of our three offices is closest to home.
If your child needs a mouthguard for an upcoming season, bringing it up before practices begin gives them time to get comfortable wearing it before they need it in a game. Reach out to schedule a fitting with our team today.
