Sports Mouth Guards
If you have kids who enjoy playing sports, especially those involving contact such as football or basketball, there is always the chance they will be hit in the mouth by a stray ball, elbow, or something else. If they are not wearing a sports mouth guard, an emergency visit to the pediatric dentist in Fort Collins, CO will be necessary. Should you be wondering how a sports mouth guard protects your child’s mouth and what injuries can occur when not wearing a mouth guard, here is all you need to know.
Sports Mouth Guards For Schoolyard, Backyard, and Playing Field
If your child is involved in a contact sport such as football, hockey, basketball, or perhaps boxing, wrestling, or karate, a sports mouth guard in Fort Collins, CO is a necessity. However, it’s also smart for them to wear one when playing non-contact sports like baseball, soccer, or softball. Even if your child skateboards, rides a mountain bike, or just plays with friends in your backyard, a sports mouth guard is an added level of protection.
How a Mouth Guard Protects
When your child wears a sports mouth guard, it will protect not only their teeth, but also other areas of the mouth. Most sports mouth guards will cover only the top teeth, but some athletes wear a lower guard if they have braces on their teeth. The most common injuries that occur when not wearing a sports mouth guard are broken or chipped teeth, but if your child does wear braces, a lower guard will also keep your child’s gums, tongue, and cheeks from being injured.
Custom Made for Your Child
If you have looked at mouth guards available in many stores that are one-size-fits-all, note that these will not begin to offer your child the protection they need when playing sports. For maximum protection, you should visit your pediatric dentist to have the guard customized specifically for your child’s mouth. By making an impression of your child’s mouth, the pediatric dentist can have the mouth guard made to offer the best fit and comfort.
Fixing Broken or Chipped Teeth
Should your child have a broken or chipped tooth, a pediatric dentist will have various options as to how to proceed. If you have the tooth fragment, it may be possible to have that reattached to the tooth. In some cases, especially if the chip or break is large, your child’s dentist will recontour the tooth to eliminate jagged edges, then apply a bonding material of composite resin to the tooth to fill in any remaining empty space. When this is finished, your child’s tooth will look natural and feel very solid.
Once you get a sports mouth guard for your child, have it checked regularly during regular checkups. Eventually, the guard will need to be replaced due to wear and tear, or because of changes to your child’s mouth. Proven to offer high levels of protection against broken or chipped teeth and other dental injuries, having a customized sports mouth guard for your child can give you and your young athlete peace of mind.