The start of any school year usually means your children will be trying out for different after-school or extracurricular activities, many of which include sports.
Whether your child is interested in trying out for the school’s football or joining a martial arts team, your local pediatric dentistry in McAllen recommends mouthguards to protect their teeth against any physical accidents.
Important Facts About Mouthguards
Mouthguards are essential protective gear that protect teeth from any dental injuries that may occur during sports or recreational activities. A mouthguard offers protection by cushioning the blow to your child’s face and mouth, deterring injuries to the lips, tongue, jaw, cheek lining, and teeth (especially maxillary teeth or upper teeth).
Today, roughly 40-45 million children participate in organized sports programs across the United States. A decade-long study reported by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry found that over 31 percent of trauma cases of children that required oral and maxillofacial surgery were caused by sports.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child be fitted for a custom mouthguard for the following sports, which include but are not limited to:
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- • Basketball
- • Baseball/softball
- • Football
- • Gymnastics
- • Hockey
- • Wrestling
- • Volleyball
Types of Mouthguards
There are three main types of mouthguards that are available for your child to wear.
1.Custom fabricated mouthguards – Your pediatric dentist at Heroes Dental can help create a custom-made mouthguard for your child. These mouthguards are usually formed by using a model of your child’s mouth.
The most common techniques used for these mouthguards are vacuum forming or heat-pressure lamination. Custom fabricated mouthguards are the best mouthguards for keeping your children’s teeth protected and comfortable, and are often preferable over boil-and-bite and stock mouthguards.
2.Boil-and-bite mouthguards – These mouthguards, also known as mouth-formed mouthguards, are made of thermoplastic material. As their name suggests, they are formed by heating these mouthguards in boiling water.
Your child will then bite down on the mouthguard. The force from your child’s bite will allow the mouthguard to take the natural shape of their teeth. Boil-and-bite mouthguards are available at most sporting goods stores and are known to provide greater protection than stock mouthguards.
3.Stock mouthguards – These mouthguards are usually the most cost-effective mouthguards that are sold over the counter. They are pre-formed and are used by holding them in place with the teeth. Because of their pre-formed design, these mouthguards often feel much bulkier and are less comfortable for your child to wear.
Regardless of the type of mouthguard you choose for your child, Heroes Dental advises that you choose one that offers excellent protection, is comfortable for your child to wear, resilient to constant wear, and allows your child to breathe properly. Following these little tips will keep your child focused on the sport at hand rather than the mouthguard they are wearing!
Proper Care for a Mouthguard
Just as your child is told to take care of their protective gear, such as helmets or pads, they should also take special care of their mouthguard. After all, a mouthguard serves to protect their pearly whites!
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- Cleaning: Be sure that your child rinses their mouthguard right after usage in lukewarm to cold water to prevent debris from building up. They can then air dry it for 15 minutes. You can also instruct your child to rinse it gently with a mild soap or toothpaste.
- Deep Cleaning: It’s important to do a deep cleaning of your child’s mouthguard once a week. There are a few methods to deep clean a mouthguard, such as using a denture cleaner with water and allowing it to soak. Another method involves soaking it in distilled vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.
- Storage: Make sure that your child is always storing their mouthguard in its designated case or a container that allows for proper airflow. Also, keeping it in the case will prevent your child from losing it. Pro tip: be sure that their case is also kept in clean condition!
Heroes Dental Recommends Mouthguards To Keep Your Child’s Teeth Safe!
Your kid’s dentist in McAllen understands how painful a dental injury is for your child. This is why we highly recommend they use mouthguards when taking part in high-contact sports and recreational activities. Be sure to contact your pediatric dentist in McAllen today to get your child fitted for their new mouthguard!