Mouthguards 

Do I need a mouth protectors?

Anyone who participates in a sport that carries a significant risk of injury should wear a mouth protector.  This includes a wide range of sports like football, hockey, basketball, soccer, basball, skateboarding, gymnastics and volleyball.  Research shows that most oral injuries occur when althletes are not wearing mouth protectors.

Mouth protectors, which typically cover the upper teeth, can cushion a blow to the face minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the soft tissues of the mouth.  If you wear braces or another fixed dental appliance on your lower jaw, your dentist may suggest a mouth protector for these teeth as well.

What are the advantages of using a mouth protector?

Accidents can happen during any physical activity.  A mouth protector can help cushion the blow to the face that otherwise might result in an injury to the mouth.  A misdriected elbow in a one-on-one basketball game can leave your child with chipped or broken teeth, nerve damage to a tooth or even tooth loss.  A mouth protector can limit the risk of such injuries as well as protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining.

Athletic mouth protectors, or mouthguards, are made of soft plastic.  You can get preformed or "boil-to-fit" mouthguards in many sports stores.  Please consult with the dentist about your child and  the need for wearing a mouthprotector.