Children are often active in contact sports, which is nice. Games come with many health benefits, both physical and mental health benefits. However, they also come at a price in case of an accident. Accidents are common in sports, and a child can accidentally get his tooth fractured or knocked out. That’s where mouthguards come in.

What is Mouthguard?

A mouthguard is a protective device worn to cover teeth and gums to reduce the risk of serious teeth and gum injuries. Patients suffering from bruxism can also wear mouthguards to prevent teeth grinding at night.

Importance of Mouthguards

• They protect against bruising and cuts during accidents.
• Cushions teeth, preventing breakage and dislocation during accidents
• Protects teeth from grinding at night
• Prevents breakage of the jaw during accidents
• They can also protect against neck injuries.
• It helps a child feel more protected, which can increase his output and performance in the game.

Types of Mouthguards

There are three main types of mouth protectors, which include:

Stock/Pre-Formed Mouth Protectors

Stock mouthguards are readymade mouth protectors often sold in food stores. You can buy a stock mouth protector on your way to the game and use it. However, it is not always easy to find a perfect fit, plus they don’t last for a long time. They are also bulky, and they offer the least protection.

Boil and Bite

Boil and bite mouth guards are slightly more durable than stock mouth protectors. They also offer more protection. Before wearing it, you should boil the protector and bite onto it. By doing so, it will provide a better fit than a pre-formed mouth protector. However, it still doesn’t provide maximum protection.

Custom-Made Mouthguard

If you are looking for maximum protection for your child, a custom-fit mouthguard is an excellent option. Yes, they are slightly expensive than the two, but they are worth every dollar. They are made in a dental office. You can count on us if you are looking for a childrens dentist Houston.

Benefits of Custom Made Mouthguards

Custom mouthguards are considered the best option for kids, and it is because of the many benefits that come with them. Here are some of the benefits:

Proper Fit

Our teeth and jaws are different. Therefore, there is no size that fits all. Stock mouthguards often offer a poor fit and can even make it difficult to breathe while participating in sports. This action may affect your child’s performance. Boil and bite will offer a better fit, but still not as comfortable as custom mouth protectors.

Dentists design custom mouth protectors with your kid’s dental history in mind and the sport your child is active in. If your child has braces, the dentist will keep that in mind and design protectors that will protect her braces too.

Comfort

Custom mouth protectors are designed using your mouth impressions. Therefore, you can be sure it will be comfortable with no unnecessary bulkiness. It will stay put in your mouth, and it won’t affect your breathing, swallowing, or talking.

Because of this comfort, your child will find it easy wearing the guard even during practice. He won’t have any reason not to wear the guard. We are here for you if you are looking for a pediatric dentist in River Oaks.

Maximum Protection

A custom mouthguard from our clinic will protect your child’s teeth better than any stock or boil and bite mouth protector. It absorbs the shock from an accident and distributes it properly, protecting his teeth. A custom mouthguard separates the lower and upper jaw, reducing the risk of concussions. It also protects other dental appliances such as braces, dentures, crowns, and retainers.

Saves Money

Typically, custom mouthguards are more expensive than stock and boil and bite mouth protectors. However, if you look at the bigger picture, a custom mouthguard will save you money in the long run. Custom mouthguards offer the best protection, meaning the likelihood of suffering a serious dental injury is very low. You will rarely need expensive dental emergency services.

Urbach Pediatric Dentistry

If you are looking for a pediatric dentist near you, our dentist in Houston, TX, is here for you. We provide 24-hour dental emergency services, and you can count on us for all types of dental services. Book an appointment today.