Fall sports are kicking off. Soccer practice. Football games. Basketball tryouts. And if your kids are like most, they’re excited to get back on the field. They wear helmets and pads to protect their bodies. But they’re often not thinking about their teeth.

At Horizon Family Dental Care in Baltimore, we see it every season. A child comes in with a chipped or even knocked-out tooth from a sports injury. And more often than not, they weren’t wearing a mouthguard. Almost all of those injuries are preventable. Custom mouthguards can protect your child’s smile for life.

Why Mouthguards Matter

Your child’s mouth is full of teeth that are meant to last a lifetime. And in contact sports, that mouth is vulnerable. A stray elbow. A fastball to the face. A collision with another player. It happens in an instant. And when it does, teeth can get chipped, loosened, or knocked out completely. Lips can get split. Jaws can get broken.

Mouthguards absorb the shock of impact. They create a cushion between your teeth and the force of a blow. They also protect the soft tissues inside your mouth, your cheeks, your tongue, and your gums, from getting cut.

Three Types of Mouthguards

Not all mouthguards are created equal. Here’s what’s out there:

• Stock mouthguards: You’ve seen these. They’re the pre-formed ones you can buy at any sporting goods store. They’re cheap and ready to wear. But they don’t fit well. They’re bulky. They can make it hard to breathe and talk. And they offer the least protection.
• Boil-and-bite mouthguards: These are also available at most drugstores. You boil them in water, then bite into them to mold them to your teeth. They fit better than stock mouthguards, but they’re still not a perfect fit. They can be uncomfortable, and they often don’t cover all the teeth they should.
• Custom-fitted mouthguards: These are made by your dentist. We take an impression of your child’s teeth and create a mouthguard that fits perfectly. It’s comfortable. It stays in place. It protects every tooth the way it should. And because it fits so well, your child can breathe and speak clearly while wearing it.

Custom Mouthguards Are Worth It

We know, a custom mouthguard costs more than the one you can grab at the store. But compare that cost to the cost of fixing a broken tooth. A root canal. A crown. An implant. A custom mouthguard is a fraction of what those treatments cost. It’s an investment in your child’s smile that pays off for years.

And when a mouthguard is comfortable, your child will actually wear it. That’s the key. A mouthguard that sits in the bottom of a gym bag isn’t protecting anyone.

When Should Your Child Wear a Mouthguard?

Any sport with potential contact means your child should wear a mouthguard. That’s not just football and hockey. It’s also basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, wrestling, lacrosse, and even gymnastics.

The American Dental Association recommends mouthguards for 29 sports. If there’s any chance of a fall, a collision, or a flying ball, a mouthguard is a good idea.

Beyond Kids: Adults Need Mouthguards Too

It’s not just kids who benefit. Adults playing recreational sports, such as pickup basketball, adult softball leagues, even skateboarding or mountain biking, should wear mouthguards too. A broken tooth doesn’t care how old you are.

We make custom mouthguards for adults as well. They’re just as important for protecting your smile.

Taking Care of Your Mouthguard

A custom mouthguard will last several seasons with proper care. Rinse it with cold water after each use. Clean it with soap and a soft toothbrush occasionally. Keep it in a ventilated case so it dries between uses.

Don’t leave it in hot water or direct sunlight, which can warp it. And bring it to your dental checkup so we can check the fit.

Protect That Smile

Your child’s smile is worth protecting. And it only takes a few minutes to do it right.

Call our Baltimore office today to schedule a mouthguard fitting. We’ll make one that fits perfectly, stays comfortable, and keeps your family safe on the field. Because the best game is one where everyone goes home with their smile intact.