How Do Mouthguards Work To Protect Teeth?
Posted on February 6th, 2025 | Christopher Neal
A properly fitted mouthguard acts as a protective shield for your child’s teeth, helping prevent injuries during sports and other physical activities. If you’re wondering whether your young athlete needs one or what a mouthguard does to protect teeth, we’re here to help explain.
Our team at Chicago kiDDS has helped many patients protect their smiles, and we’re always happy to answer your questions. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of mouthguards. You can also reach us at (708) 448-6700 to learn about getting a custom-fitted mouthguard for your child.
Why Mouthguards Are Important
Getting enough exercise and outdoor activity is important for kids. It helps them stay healthy and happy and learn new lessons every day. However, when taking part in sports and games, there is always a small risk of injury, including dental injury.
Trauma to the oral cavity, such as a baseball hitting the face or falling on pavement, can easily damage teeth or harm the jawbone. Lips, gum tissue, the tongue, and cheeks are also vulnerable to injury.
Incidents like these aren’t just painful in the moment— they can lead to long-lasting problems. A child might suffer permanent tooth loss, bite misalignment, or develop TMJ from a jaw injury. Some children even have difficulty chewing or speaking properly after a serious mouth injury.
If left untreated, dental injuries can lead to infection and a variety of other dental problems. One of the best ways to help protect your child’s developing smile is to invest in a mouthguard.
How Mouthguards Protect Smiles
Mouthguards are a proven and simple way to protect against dental emergencies. They are small devices, usually custom-fit by a dentist, that provide a physical barrier between teeth and any imposing force, such as a ball or another child’s knee/elbow/etc.
So what does a mouthguard do to protect teeth? These dental appliances work in several ways:
- Just as a helmet protects your child’s head during bicycle rides, a mouthguard acts as protective gear for their teeth. The soft, cushioning material in mouthguards is a shock absorber of sorts. When impact occurs, the mouthguard absorbs much of the force that would otherwise damage your child’s teeth or jaw.
- Instead of letting all the force from an impact concentrate on one or two teeth, mouthguards spread the pressure across the entire mouth. This distribution of force significantly reduces the risk of serious injury.
- Mouthguards create a barrier between teeth and soft oral tissues. This helps prevent cuts, bruises, and other injuries to the lips, cheeks, gums, and tongue.
How Do Mouthguards Help TMJ & Bruxism?
For children who grind their teeth at night, specialized night guards work similarly to traditional mouthguards. These devices create a comfortable barrier between the upper and lower teeth, which helps protect against grinding and pressure. This barrier also reduces strain on overused jaw muscles, reducing jaw pain and soreness.
If your child suffers from bruxism or a TMJ disorder, a nighttime mouthguard could help protect their teeth and mouth. After wearing the device for a while, it might even eliminate their condition.
Where Should You Get a Mouthguard for Your Child?
There are different types of mouthguards available, from store-bought, generic options to custom-made. There are also ‘boil-and-bite’ mouthguards, a variety that lies somewhere in the middle. These devices are made of a special material that when heated, becomes malleable. Children can then place the guard in their mouth so it forms to their smile.
For superior protection and the most comfortable fit, we recommend a custom mouthguard. At Chicago kiDDS, we create mouthguards that provide the best possible protection for your child’s unique smile.
Want to learn more about protecting your young athlete’s teeth? Call us at (708) 448-6700 to discuss our custom mouthguard creation process!
Contact Chicago kiDDS for Elevated Dental Care
Playing sports and staying active are important parts of your child’s growth and development. With a proper mouthguard, they can participate fully in their favorite activities while keeping their smile safe. A well-fitted mouthguard significantly reduces the risk of dental injuries like chipped or broken teeth, letting your child focus on having fun and staying healthy.
At Chicago kiDDS Pediatric Dentistry, we believe every patient deserves the best protection for their smile. That’s why we offer comfortable, custom mouthguards that provide superior protection compared to generic options. We’ll work with you and your child to ensure the mouthguard fits perfectly and offers the right level of protection for their favorite activities.
Ready to protect your child’s smile? Contact our team to schedule an appointment. From preventative care like exams and teeth cleanings to smile restoration, you can depend on us for all your child’s dental needs.
