A mouth guard can be important for protecting your child’s teeth when the child is participating in a sporting activity. High-impact sports can lead to trauma to the head, face, jaw or mouth. These sports include baseball, football, hockey, lacrosse and soccer. This can result in chipped, broken and knocked out teeth. The last thing you want is for your child to suffer permanent oral damage.
A mouth guard can prevent dental injuries. Dentists will often recommend a mouth guard for protecting a child’s teeth when they are participating in a high-impact sporting event or if the child is prone to grinding or clenching teeth. There are different types of mouth guards available.
A stock mouth guard can be bought at most sporting equipment stores over the counter. These stock mouth guards come ready for the child to use. Generally, they are an affordable option for parents and children. However, stock guards are generally non-adjustable and may not fit right. Sometimes, stock mouth guards are bulky and uncomfortable and can make breathing and talking more difficult.
Most sporting stores also offer over-the-counter boil and bite mouth guards. Some of them offer a better fit than stock mouth guards. Parents will want to boil the thermoplastic material in water until it is pliable and soft. The child will then place the mouth guard in the mouth and bite down. Then it can be adjusted using teeth, fingers and tongue pressure. It generally will have a better fit because it is more adjustable to the child’s specific bite.
For parents who want the ideal fit for a child, a custom-made mouth guard may be the right option. These mouth guards are designed in a dental office or lab and are based on the dentist’s instructions. First, the dentist will make an impression of the child’s teeth. Then a mouth guard is molded over the model using a specific material.
Due to the special material and the extra time and work involved, it can be more expensive. However, custom mouth guards generally provide the most comfort and protection for a child’s teeth.
Generally, mouth guards will cover the child’s upper teeth only. However, dentists may recommend a mouth guard for the lower teeth as well. This is especially true if the child has braces or another fixed dental appliance on the lower jaw.
If you have a child involved in sports, it is important to protect their teeth. Losing teeth at a young age can cause a lot of dental problems, both immediately and later in life. Whether you choose the stock option, the boil-and-bite option, or the custom-made option, you are doing your child a favor. Make sure the child wears the mouth guard while playing.
A dentist can recommend the right mouth guard for your child. An effective mouth guard should be able to resist tears, be durable and easy to clean, be comfortable and should not restrict the child’s ability to speak or breathe.
Are you considering getting a mouth guard in the West Palm Beach area? Get more information at https://palmbeachdentalspa.com.
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