If you have a child that plays sports, then you’re probably familiar with all the risks associated with it. There’s no doubt that your child can learn a lot from being on a team, but you want to make sure you’re offering them all the protection they need to keep their mouth healthy during these fun times on the field or court.
Having the proper sports guard is going to work great for protecting your child’s smile on and off the field. Your children’s dentist at Harmony Dental Care in Oshawa, ON can help you decide whether your child athlete will need a sports guard and what kind would be best for them.
Does my child really need a sports guard?
Deciding whether or not your child needs a sports guard will be largely dependent on what sport they are playing. Certain ones such as hockey and lacrosse will require a sports guard. However, even if a sport doesn’t mandate it, it’s still good to consider having one for any sport where there’s a stick or a ball (such as baseball and softball), riding sports (like skateboarding and cycling), field sports (like rugby and football), and various other outdoor activities like water skiing.
If you still don’t know whether your child needs a sports guard, consider their smile for a moment and the damage that could happen while they’re playing. If the sport could potentially lead to an impact to the face, get your child a sports guard.
What type do I get?
There are three different types of sports guard, and Harmony Dental Care can help you decide which one is best.
There is the standard fit, which is going to be a one-size-fits-all option. Unfortunately, this option is going to be more uncomfortable and make talking and breathing more of a hassle because it’s not fitted for your child’s mouth.
There is the bite and boil option next, which is a little better. It allows for the sports guard to be heated up in water and then bit down on. This allows for some customization to your child’s mouth.
Finally, there is the custom option, which our dentists near you at Harmony Dental Care consider the best for child athletes. The custom option involves making an impression of your child’s teeth and sending that impression to a lab where a custom sports guard is created.
