Kids mouth guards help to protect teeth when the young ones are engaged in sports specifically the contact sports. Children are filled with endless amounts of restless energy, and sports provide them with a productive way to channel that energy.
Mouthguards work by cushioning any blows to the wearer’s teeth. They reduce the risk of lacerating soft tissues like the cheek, tongue, or lips, and damage to teeth. A mouthguard can help to prevent your child from suffering the same fate. The popular types of mouthguards a child can use for sports include:
These are the least effective and cheapest type of mouthguard. They rarely fit well, and they often restrict breathing. These appliances are available at most grocery or sports stores. These types of mouthguards should only be used for sports that involve very little contact.
These are typically made from rubber composites. These should be boiled before being used so the malleable material can be molded to fit the child’s teeth. The appliances are available at many sports stores, and they provide adequate protection for contact sports like basketball or wrestling.
These are the priciest type of mouthguard, but they are also the most effective. They can be made from a wide range of materials, and they are designed specifically for the child. The mouth guard should fit snuggly when worn, and it provides your child with the highest level of protection. It is most commonly used for activities like gymnastics, martial arts, skiing, skateboarding etc.,
The Indian Dental Association advises wearing custom mouthguards for sports like racquetball, martial arts, ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, boxing, basketball, wrestling, water polo, soccer, skiing, skateboarding, and rugby.
In many cases, schools and sports camps will require your child to have proper mouth protection to participate in these activities. It can take up to two weeks for a custom mouth guard to be made so plan ahead.
A good mouthguard will protect your child’s teeth without making it harder for them to breathe. The importance of the latter should not be overlooked since not being able to breathe properly will diminish your child’s athletic performance. Give us a call or visit our experts Dr. Roshan Rayen and Dr. Hariharan with your child to get your doubts clarified on mouthguards for your little ones.