Mouth Guard or No Mouth Guard: Is That Even a Question?!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com 

Playing sports is a great activity for kids; the only downside is the risk of dental injury. In fact, more than half of the seven million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by youth between ages 5 and 24 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

There’s no need to risk it, any mouth guard is better than NO mouth guard. But when trying to choose which one to go with, how do you decide which is best for your child?

The Academy of Sports Dentistry requires a mouth guard have the following properties and considerations:

1. Proper fit – a fit that is retentive and not dislodged on impact
2. Adequate thickness – in all areas to provide for the reduction of impact forces
3. Speech considerations – based on the demands of the playing status of the athlete
4. FDA approved material

Before your child's next soccer, basketball, baseball game, etc., make sure a mouth guard is included as part of their uniform. There are three main types of mouth guards that can suit your child: custom made, boil and bite/self fit, and stock mouth guards. Read below for additional information on each:

Custom made:

• Expensive, individually designed and made by your dentist and dental labs. These mouth guards have the most comfortable, perfect fit which provides optimum protection and improved performance. The fit and size are measured by the dentist and the athlete’s medical history, demographic factors, and type of sport are all also taken into account. 

Boil and Bite / Self fit:

• Inexpensive, store bought, and becomes pliable when heated. Athletes will create a custom fit by biting down into the warm plastic after boiling the mouth guard in water. In order to make these mouth guards pliable, they are made with softer material compared to other mouth guards. For this reason they often aren’t as reliable or resilient. 

Stock mouth guards:

• Very inexpensive, store bought, and ready to wear. Unfortunately, these are so poor fitting that they often fall out when the athlete opens their mouth to speak or breathe.  Not to mention will dislodge on impact.

Whichever type you choose, be sure it is resilient, comfortable, fits properly, and does not restrict breathing or your child’s speech. Feel free to discuss your options with us today!