With school sports on the horizon, the team at Febres Dentistry for Children wants to stress that it’s important for parents and student athletes to remember a key piece of equipment – the mouth guard.

Sports injuries result in more than five million teeth lost each year, and we believe that’s far too many teeth to lose. For your child, just one tooth is far too many to lose because of a sports injury. It is important though to remember that these mouth guards are meant only to be worn during sports practices and events, and not for overnight use, which might impact a child’s growing teeth.

Mouth guards are designed to cushion the teeth from direct blows to the mouth and keep the upper and lower teeth from contacting each other. Mouth guards help athletes avoid injury to the lips and cheeks from the teeth and can even give student athletes a mental boost. Some young athletes say they feel more confident and aggressive when wearing the proper equipment, including a mouth guard.

Several types of mouth guards can be used – from a stock mouth guard that comes directly off of a store shelf and is designed to protect any individual who chooses to use it, to a custom or orthodontic mouth guard created by dental professionals. Each has its own benefits, and some, like the orthodontic mouth guard, have special functions.
 

• • Stock: Often sold in child or adult sizes, this guard offers the lowest amount of protection and some say it can be hard for a child to breathe while wearing these.

• • Boil and Bite: Although many boil-and-bite mouth guards are designed for one-time use, there are a few that can be boiled and reused.  This type of mouth guard provides a bit more customization. It is a good choice for children who are still growing. After this piece is boiled in water and cooled slightly, the child bites down on the guard, which will mold to the youth’s mouth.

• • Custom: Created by a dental professional, this type of mouth guard is designed specifically to fit your child’s mouth. These provide the most protection for a young mouth, but cost significantly more than the above options.

• • Orthodontic: For children who are undergoing orthodontic correction, this type of mouth guard is designed to support and protect your child’s mouth while still accommodating his or her braces.

Many mouth guard options are available on the market. If you’re unsure of what might work best in your situation, our dental professionals would be glad to help you find the right solution. 

To learn more about Febres Dentistry for Children, visit our website,  www.febresdds.com, or call 281-560-3191 to schedule an appointment.

About Febres Dentistry for Children PA

Febres Dentistry for Children is a full-service pediatric dental office in Houston, Texas. Our doctors are trained to work with a wide range of patients, from infants to children and adolescents with special needs. We offer a range of services, including routine dental care, and early orthodontic and restorative treatment.