If your child is involved in sports – especially contact sports – it’s highly likely that they will be required to wear a children’s mouthguard whenever they play a game.
The mouthguard policy implemented by Sports Medicine Australia and the Australian Dental Association, available for sports clubs to sign up to, requires that members in make wearing mouthguards mandatory for players. The policy says “no mouthguard, no play”.
So below, we’ll answer some of the questions you might be asking about mouthguards, and especially how they bode with children. This blog post also explains the benefits mouthguards bring to children and sports players.
What do mouthguards do for sports players?
According to Brisbane dental professionals, mouthguards are necessary for sports players because they provide the first line of defence against damage if a player is hit on the chin or the mouth.
If it is a soft hit, the player will only suffer from a swollen lip, but they will be unlikely to suffer broken teeth. In any case, it’s always a good idea to have this kind of safety protection in sports where there is body contact.
Mouthguards protect the teeth because they prevent the teeth from clashing together. If your teeth dp clash together while playing a sport, it can cause your teeth to break. More importantly, clashing teeth transfer a lot of force to the skull, making a concussion more likely to occur.
What are the benefits of children’s mouthguards for sports?
Children’s dentistry experts agree that wearing a mouthguard brings many benefits for children during contact sports.
Mouthguards provide:
- Protection of dental work from damage
- Reduced risk of concussion
- Protection from tooth loss
A mouthguard can prevent your child from having restorative solutions for oral injury due to sports. The priority of any kids’ dentist in Brisbane is to ensure that their patients maintain healthy and strong natural teeth by using a mouthguard when playing sports.
No dentist – and no parent – will want to have to arrange dental implants for a child’s missing or chipped teeth.
Dentists recommend that sports players wear custom-made mouthguards. Neck injuries, tooth fractures, and oral bruising are preventable by using a mouthguard that perfectly fits the mouth.
So, have your kid’s mouthguard custom-made, and avoid making your child wear an ill-fitting mouthguard that you can buy over the counter.
Can kids wear mouth guards?
Yes, children should wear mouthguards when playing contact sports and non-contact sports. The same is true for recreational activities, such as mountain biking and skateboarding.
Youth-sized mouthguards are for children aged ten and under. If your child is big for his age, there are adult-sized mouthguards that should work well for him.
But an excellent thing you can do for your child’s safety is to go to a Brisbane dentist who will create a custom-made mouthguard for them.
Custom-made mouthguards are more comfortable to wear than OTC mouthguards because they are exactly fitted to the mouth, jaw, and teeth.
A custom-made mouthguard for your child will prevent your child from unnecessarily keeping his mouth closed to keep the guard in place.
What is the best kids’ mouthguard?
The best kids’ mouthguard is one that is custom made for their mouth. Every kid’s mouth is different.
Make sure that the mouthguard your child will be using is made of materials that are safe for his health. It should be comfortable to put on.
If there is discomfort experienced by your child, then the mouthguard is likely not an exact fit. That’s the reason why custom-made mouthguards are recommended.
A professional children’s dentist can create a mouthguard for your child using the impressions of his teeth, jaw, and gum line.
Also, mouthguards should be tear-resistant. Otherwise, they are not able to give complete protection to the wearer. If your child’s mouthguard breaks, immediately replace it with a new one.
At what age should my child wear a mouthguard during sports?
Any child, regardless of age, should be made to wear a mouthguard, because injuries leading to tooth loss or cut gums can happen anytime during a game.
You should explain to your child why it is really important for him to wear a mouthguard. Tell him that it is just as important as his uniform, knee pads, and other athletic protective gear.
What is the difference between a night guard and a sports guard?
If you go to the clinic of a paediatric dentist, make sure to be specific about what type of mouthguard your child needs. Mouthguards for sports are different from night guards.
A night guard, however, imposes a barrier between the lower and upper teeth. The purpose is to prevent the teeth from grinding against one another when you are sleeping at night. Meanwhile, sports mouthguards are designed to protect the teeth from injury and damage while the user participates in sports.
How much are custom mouthguards in Australia?
Your paediatric dentist in Brisbane can give you a quote for your mouthguard price during your consultation. However, the average price is $200.
The price is a reflection of the labour and material necessary for creating a high-quality custom-fit mouthguard.
You can buy a $30 mouthguard from the pharmacy, but it will very likely be just a waste of money. It is likely you will feel toothache from it and do more harm than good.
In what sports should your wear a mouthguard?
You should wear a mouthguard for the following sports:
- Wrestling
- Water polo
- Volleyball
- Skydiving
- Football
- Gymnastics
- Handball
- Lacrosse
- Acrobats
- Football
- Basketball
- Boxing
Experts further recommend that players wear mouthguards during practice and competition.
Get in touch with our Brisbane dentistry team for more information about how mouthguards can protect your children’s teeth.