Sports Mouthguards for Children
Did you know that sports-related injuries – to the face, jaw, or teeth – are not only potentially painful and expensive but also may be permanent?
Safeguard your child’s sporting lifestyle from any dental injuries with a custom-fitted mouthguard. For more information about our Sports Mouthguards for Children, contact Molonglo Dental Surgery at 02 6287 1222.
It’s pre-sporting season and all your kids are excited about the trendiest sportswear and equipment out there. Before we get too caught up in the flashier and more eye-catching aspect of the sports your kids are into, there’s an important piece of sports equipment that you should take special note of: Custom-fitted dental mouthguards.
Indeed, as loving parents, you wouldn’t want to neglect the benefits of a custom-fitted mouthguard that is designed to protect your loved ones from potential injuries.
At Molonglo Dental Surgery, our dentists and staff are strong advocates for the need of student athletes to wear protective mouthguards during contact and general sports that carry the risk of trauma and impact to the teeth, mouth and face.
Working in the dental field, we are fully cognizant of and in agreement with overwhelming research that points to the protective benefits that a mouthguard can provide. As parents and caregivers ourselves, our loved ones also benefit greatly from the dental appliance – giving us the peace of mind while they are out there enjoying the games – which is why we endorse the dental mouthguard whole-heartedly.
We strongly support the Australian Dental Association’s recommendation for the wearing of a custom-fitted mouthguard during practices and games, as well as the ADA and Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) putting in place a Mandatory mouthguard policy for sporting clubs.
At Molonglo Dental Surgery, we are committed to offering high quality, custom-made mouthguards that can significantly minimize trauma to teeth, surrounding tissues and jaws caused by sporting collisions.
Safeguard your child’s sporting lifestyle from any dental injuries with a custom-fitted mouthguard.
For more information about our Sports Mouthguards for Children, contact Molonglo Dental Surgery at 02 6287 1222.
Why does my child need to wear a sports mouthguard?
When it comes to safety in sports, the right type of children mouth guard is perhaps the best investment of all. Indeed, the preventative value of dental mouth protectors cannot be overstated for student athletes.
Here are some sobering facts about the importance of mouthguards in the prevention of sports-related dental injuries:
- Without a mouthguard, dental injuries are 60-70 times more likely to be sustained.
- Avid sports players have a 10 per cent chance of sustaining a dental injury in just one sporting season.
- It costs 20 times more to rehabilitate a knocked out tooth compared to the cost of a professional mouthguard.
Benefits of a Child-friendly Mouthguard
If your child does not take proper precautions while participating in sports or recreational activities, he or she may be unduly exposed to potential injuries to the face and mouth.
Wearing a mouthguard helps to provide the protective cushion and support that is especially critical during an impact. By cushioning and absorbing the force of the blow, the custom-fitted mouthpiece can significantly reduce trauma to the teeth, lips, tongue, face and jaws. In the majority of cases, a mouthguard is essential in helping to prevent the following injuries: Broken and chipped teeth, knocked out teeth and jaw fractures.
Wearing a mouthguard is especially important for student athletes who are wearing braces. In fact, braces can exacerbate sports injuries – when there is contact between the soft tissue in the mouth and the braces.
In the event of an impact or blow to the face, the mouthguard acts as a barrier between the braces and the cheeks or lips. This greatly reduces the occurrence of soft tissue lacerations and other more significant injuries. Note: There are special types of mouthguards that we would recommend wearing over your child’s orthodontic braces.
For other benefits of a dental mouthguard, please see Sports Mouthguards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Depending on how often your mouthguard is used, a custom-fitted mouthguard can usually last several years. If you’re not sure if your existing mouthguard is doing its job, bring it along on your next visit for our dentist to have a look. We can help you inspect it for signs of wear and tear, or any cracks that may suggest a replacement is necessary. Adolescent mouthguard users will need to have new custom mouth guards periodically made as they continue growing.
By comparison, over-the-counter mouthguards are less durable and generally need to be replaced every few months. In the same way, the level of comfort and protection provided by OTC products are also inferior.
Most healthcare plans are designed to cover preventive care including oral exams, x-rays and professional cleaning. If your insurance plan covers restorative treatments such as dentures or crown and bridge, it may also cover dental mouthguards.
However, health insurance policies vary so you may wish to check if your specific plan covers part or all of the cost for custom-fitted mouthguards.
At the same time, you may also check if your dentist offers a flexible payment plan to help pay for custom-fitted mouthguards.
- Footy
- Rugby
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cricket
- Football
- Hockey
- Horse riding
- Lacrosse
- Bike riding
- Boxing
- Skateboarding
- In-line skating
- Softball
- Squash
- Water polo
- Netball
- Martial arts
- Skiing
- Snow ski racing
- Football
- Trampolining
There are many things you can do to ensure the long-term use of your mouthguard. Prior to each use, you should first rinse it with cold water. Then clean it with a toothbrush and toothpaste in order to remove bacterial plaque and debris.
To avoid warping, do not expose the dental appliance to hot water and direct sunlight. In the event the mouthguard becomes warped or damaged – meaning they no longer provide a close fit – you should consider buying a new one.
To ensure your kid gets the most protection when playing sports, get a custom-fit dental mouthguard.
For more information about our Sports Mouthguards for Children, contact Molonglo Dental Surgery at 02 6287 1222.
