Sports can be a great way for kids to improve their fitness, build relationships, and develop life-long skills with numerous applications off the field or court. An active lifestyle comes with some potential issues, however, including the risk of injury. A properly fitted mouth guard, or mouth protector, is an important piece of athletic gear that can help protect your child’s smile, and should be used during any activity that could result in a blow to the face or mouth.
Prevent Injuries
Broken, cracked, or chipped teeth are dental traumas that are typically accompanied by intense pain. Consistent wear of a well-fitted mouth guard, during games and practice, can help your child avoid this experience, as well as painful injuries to the lips, tongue, face, or jaw. Avoiding negative dental experiences early in life can also help contribute to a positive regard for care—for life!
Types of Mouthguards
Based on your child’s activities and age, our pediatric dentist near Homer Glen can provide recommendations about our custom mouthguards as well as specific store-bought options. Here are the three most popular types:
- Ready-made mouthguards are completely ready to go right out of the box. For some individuals the fit will be close, but these options are typically bulkier and/or less secure.
- Mouth-adapted guards, also known as ‘boil-and-bite’ mouthguards, are designed to be softened with hot water before placed in the mouth and formed.
- Custom mouthguards, created by our pediatric dentist near Homer Glen, can be formed to fit your child’s mouth perfectly. This is a great option to explore if you have an active child, especially if they are involved in any kind of contact sport.
Get Both: Comfort and Protection
When it comes to protecting your child’s developing smile, you want a device that doesn’t sacrifice comfort for effectiveness. It’s important that the mouthguard you choose is both secure and allows for easy breathing while equipped. It may go without saying, but the greatest benefit of having a custom-made mouthguard is its perfect fit. In many cases, an ill-fitting mouthguard will cause distractions, reduced performance, or simply be discarded.
Visit Our Pediatric Dentist Near Homer Glen
Take it from us—a visit to our office for a custom mouthguard is much more fun than an emergency dental visit. Please get in touch with one of our helpful and knowledgeable staff members if you have any questions regarding this service. The Chicago kiDDS team works to make every aspect of your child’s visit unintimidating and as pleasant as can be! Reach out today.
