Getting a Sports Guard for Back to School

What every parent wants more than anything is for their child to be safe and happy, but if your child is an athlete, it may sometimes feel like those things aren’t compatible. It’s obviously important to let your child do what they love, but it’s also a good idea to make sure that they don’t get injured.

If they don’t have one, a professionally-crafted sports guard can go a long way toward avoiding any serious dental emergencies. Since you’re probably back-to-school shopping anyway, here’s what you should know about the prospect of getting your child a sports guard.

When is a Mouthguard Necessary?

As you’ve probably figured out, some sports make a mouthguard much more necessary than others. For the most part contact sports (football, lacrosse, hockey, etc.) require that their players wear mouthguards due to the inherent risk of injury.

However, the sports that cause the most oral health problems are actually non-contact sports where accidents and fouls are common but few people wear mouthguards. Basketball is a great example. Even if your child isn’t playing a contact sport, you should think carefully about whether they may need a sports guard anyway.

Why Is a Professional Sports Guard Important?

There are plenty of store-bought mouthguard kits, and if your child is an athlete you’ve probably noticed them at sporting goods shops. However, the difference between these and what a professional could make for you is stark.

Many of these mouthguards are one-size-fits-all, meaning that it’s common for them to slip or fall out when your child needs them most. Even mouthguards designed to mold to the teeth typically don’t fit as well as they could, increasing their chance of failure. If you want to make sure your child’s teeth are safe, a professional sports guard is the way to go.

Caring For a Sports Guard

While some young people are more responsible than others, getting them to care for their teeth is often a struggle. Thankfully, caring for a sports guard is fairly easy.

After use, it’s a good idea to brush the sports guard to prevent the buildup of bacteria. Every once in a while, it may be necessary to hand-wash it with soap and water. With just that little bit of care, you should be able to keep the oral appliance in good condition.

About Our Practice

At East Brunswick Family & Implant Dentistry, we don’t take our patients for granted. We know that there is no shortage of dentists, which is why we work hard to separate ourselves from the pack. Not only do we provide our patients with thorough dental care, we also take the time to get to know them so that we’re able to personalize treatment to their needs.

If you have any questions about mouthguards, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (732) 238-6660.