As a parent, the last thing you want is to see your child in pain. Fortunately, we offer custom mouth guards to protect your child’s teeth and gums while they play contact sports. If your child participates in football or another sport that puts them at risk for oral injury, this blog post is for you. Continue reading to learn how our Gahanna dentist can help you choose the best sports mouth guard to fit over your child’s braces.
If you have any more questions or concerns, or you're just curious about the best mouth guards to use when you have braces, then please feel free to reach out to us and we'll get back to you with an answer as soon as possible.
To avoid an emergency trip to the dentist, get a custom mouth guard that will safely fit over your child’s braces. A mouth guard for braces can cover both the upper and lower teeth. That way, broken wires and brackets don’t tear the soft tissues inside your child’s mouth. Request an appointment with our sports dentist to prepare your child for the upcoming season.
There are many different types of mouth guards for sports, teeth grinding, snoring, and sleep apnea. Yet, it’s important that you get the right type of mouth guard for your child. A night guard is specifically designed to prevent patients from grinding or clenching their teeth while they sleep. As a result, it won’t be as effective on the football field or ice hockey rink as an actual sports mouth guard. Sports guards were designed to absorb the impact of being struck in the face. Of these appliances, custom mouth guards offer the most protection while playing contact sports.
Why research mouth guards on your own when you can ask someone who coaches athletes for a living? Your child’s coach will be able to tell you what mouth guards other players have used in the past. The coaches who have been around the longest will tell you that a custom mouth guard offers the most protection for your child’s teeth.
Don’t let your child’s season get interrupted by an emergency visit to the dentist. Invest in a custom mouth guard if your child will be participating in contact sports on a regular basis. While getting a custom mouth guard is more expensive, it’ll protect your child’s teeth much more than anything you could buy in a store. For example, a stock mouth guard can snag on your child’s braces if it doesn’t fit right.
The phrase “one size fits all” is a lie when it comes to mouth guards. Each patient’s mouth is different. A mouth guard that fits too tightly over your child’s teeth may stop their teeth from moving like they should. This is why it’s important you replace your child’s mouth guard as recommended by their dentist or orthodontist.
If your child plays sports once in a while, you may be able to get away with a boil-and-bite mouth guard. Boil-and-bite mouth guards conform to your child’s teeth for a fit that isn’t too loose or tight. While these mouth guards aren’t as good as the ones made by our dentist, they’re better than nothing.
Children (and adults) won’t wear mouth guards that are uncomfortable. This is why our dentist makes custom mouth guards that let your child talk and breathe with ease. Our sports mouth guards also have a slimmer design that won’t trigger your child’s gag reflex. The protective material of our mouth guards is designed to absorb impact, protecting your child’s teeth and gums.
When your child is trying to focus on playing their best game, you want to make sure they’re not distracted by an ill-fitting sports mouth guard. The American Dental Association recommends mouth guards that allow players to breathe, speak, and drink comfortably. Yet, many generic mouth guards are rubbery and bulky, which can trigger your child’s gag reflex. “One-size-fits-all” mouth guards are also too loose to offer any real protection to your child’s teeth and braces.
Dr. Dawn Baker is a sports dentist in Gahanna, OH who offers custom mouth guards. To request an appointment for your child, call Pure Dental at (614) 475-7580.