Protecting Your Child’s Smile During Sports Season

An essential element that goes along with rooting for your child during their next soccer, football or basketball game this fall is protecting their smile. Any Boise dentist will tell you that sports-related injuries to the mouth are just as common as a suffering from a sprained ankle among young athletes.

Mouthguards are designed to protect your childs teeth and gums from major Boise dental injuries. If your child loves to participate in his or her favorite after-school sports, it’s important that a mouthguard is worn in order to preserve the integrity of their teeth.

Types of Mouthguards

There are three basic types of mouthguards your child can wear in order to protect their smile: the pre-made, the “boil-and-bite, or a Boise dental, custom-made mouthguard. Available at your local drug store, sporting goods, or super store, make sure to pick one that is tear-resistant, well fitted, and comfortable for your child to wear. It is just as imperative for those who wear braces or a retainer to wear a mouthguard as well. Surprisingly inexpensive, mouthguards are a great way to prevent major Boise dental expenses should a sports related injury happen.

Caring for your Child’s Mouthguard

Similar to any oral hygiene or Boise dental appliance, its important to care for and clean your child’s mouthguard in order to keep them safe and healthy while maintaining its integrity.

• Make sure to store the mouthguard in a protective case – Don’t let it get tossed onto the floor of your car after practice only to have them put it back in their mouth covered in germs & debri.
• Have your child clean their mouthguard after each use as they would their own teeth  with a gentle scrub from their toothbrush with toothpaste before rinsing, and drying.
• Replace the mouthguard at the beginning of every new sports season in addition to it becoming worn or no longer fitting properly.
• Store the mouthguard at room temperature. Hot cars or window sills can easily cause the mouthguard to melt and lose its protective form.
• Dont let your child chew or cut any piece off the mouthguard.
• For children who wear retainers, a retainer should be removed before wearing a mouthguard. If your child wears braces, your Boise dentist can help design a specialized mouthguard to fit and protect their smile.

Keep in mind that no matter how hard we try to protect our children, accidents do happen. In case of a dental emergency, contact your Boise Dentist, Dr. Robert Studebaker ASAP. We can provide you with over-the-phone recommendations as well as scheduling an appointment depending on the severity of your childs Boise dental emergency for their best smile restoration.