Are your kids involved in sports? This can be an exciting time for your kids! Many sports require equipment that will keep children safe, such as shoulder pads or special shoes. They may also recommend a mouth guard for your child.
Sports that typically request a mouth guard are contact-heavy sports such as wrestling, or ball sports such as baseball. You may be wondering what kind of mouth guard your child needs for their sports.
Different Kinds of Mouth Guards
There are three different kinds of sports mouth guards. If your child has sleeping grinding issues, dentists also provide mouth guards to protect their teeth as they sleep.
Sleep Mouth Guards
Sleep mouth guards should always be made by your dentist. Their goal is to protect your child’s teeth while they sleep. These are especially helpful if your child grinds their jaw as they sleep or if they have TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder).
A sleep mouth guard should only be used if recommended for your child by your dentist. They will custom-make a guard that fits your kid’s mouth perfectly, leading to comfort and protection while they sleep. If you think your child would benefit from a mouth guard, contact Vibrant Dental in Henderson, Nevada, for a consultation today!
Sports Mouth Guards
Sports mouth guards protect teeth from potential impacts on the field. They cannot stop everything, but they help sports be safer for your child’s entire mouth.
Custom-Made Mouth Guards
Custom-made mouth guards are the most expensive option and are created by your dentist. They will fit your child’s teeth perfectly and can be made to cover just the upper teeth or both the upper and lower teeth.
This option is the best for a child who intends to continue the sport for several semesters. This is also a good option when your child has braces and needs to protect both arches of teeth.
Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guards
These are the most common option for mouth guards. They typically work the best when a child does not have braces, and only needs to protect their top arch. These mouth guards use a plastic that is heated up and then molded around your teeth. This means that it should fit relatively well in your child’s mouth. They should be replaced every season, as they do wear down more than custom-made mouth guards might.
These mouthguards can still be slightly bulky, but they do offer protection from impact. You can find these kinds of mouth guards at your local sporting goods store!
Stock Mouth Guards
These mouth guards are the least expensive option, but they are not customized to your child’s mouth. These can be dangerous if they do not fit well, so be sure to make sure that they fit moderately well, with little slipping of the guard.
We recommend stock mouth guards in circumstances where a custom-fit one is not available. Having a couple of these on hand if your child forgets their regular custom-fit one is the safest use for these.
Benefits of Mouth Guards
Mouth guards are meant to protect your child’s teeth as they go about important activities such as sleeping and playing sports. Wearing a mouthguard can give your child:
- Protection from flying elbows and balls in sports
- Increased safety to their braces or other dental appliances
- Prevention of tooth grinding or chipping
- Less soreness after sleeping or playing sports
Be sure to talk to your local dentist about dental protection for your child today!
Protect Your Child’s Smile
Choosing the right mouthguard for your child can protect their smile for years to come. Keep your little ones active and safe with mouth guards and property safety equipment! Contact Vibrant Dental in Henderson, Nevada, for custom mouth guards and dental recommendations for your child today.