Mouthguards aren’t just for adults!

Remember to add a mouthguard for each child to your list of school supplies. Protecting your child’s head, jaw and teeth, even for seemingly non-contact sports, is very important.

Mouthguards not only protect the teeth. They may also prevent serious injuries by helping to avoid situations where the lower jaw and teeth are forced up against the upper teeth and jaw.
Sports Canada reports that overall, 69 percent of Canadian youth participate in organized sport. In any sport, whether it’s full-contact hockey or a friendly game of racquetball, a little preparation can prevent costly and sometimes painful mistakes later on!

Who should wear a mouthguard?

Anyone playing contact sports or engaging in aggressive activities should wear a mouthguard.

Any sport with a strong chance for contact with other participants or hard surfaces requires mouth protection. Players who participate in basketball, baseball, soccer, wrestling, squash, racquetball, lacrosse, rugby, in-line skating and martial arts, or even recreational sports such as skateboarding and bicycling, should wear mouthguards when practicing or competing.

Many athletes resist wearing a mouthguard because of bulkiness and poor fit. Custom-made mouthguards are the most comfortable, non-bulky and form-fitting.

What are the factors that affect the fit of a mouthguard?

A dentist will consider a number of factors when fitting a patient for a mouthguard — size of mouth, bite, type of sport played and whether or not the patient wears braces or other appliances are all important considerations. Each patient’s very specific needs must be addressed for maximum comfort and protection.