Should my child wear a mouth guard when playing sports?

Dr. Dantini strongly recommends that children (and adults) wear mouth guards when participating in contact sports in which injury to the mouth is possible. Athletes are 60 times more likely to suffer damage to the mouth when not wearing a protective mouth guard. As the name implies, mouth guards help prevent injury to the mouth area, especially the teeth, lips, cheeks, and tongue. Even athletes who use helmets or face masks should wear mouth guards since they also protect against head and neck injuries by cushioning blows that could otherwise cause concussions or jaw fractures.

There are three types of mouth guards: The stock mouth guard, the boil and bite mouth guard, and the custom-made mouth guard. Both the store-bought stock mouth guards and boil and bite mouth guards offer some protection at a low cost. Unfortunately, they are usually uncomfortable to wear and can make breathing and speaking difficult. However, neither is as protective, comfortable, and noninterfering with speech and breathing as the custom-made mouth guards constructed by a dentist from an impression of the athlete's teeth. But, if a custom-made mouth guard is not feasible, a store-bought mouth guard is better than no mouth guard at all. The earlier an athlete begins to wear a mouth guard, the sooner it will become more comfortable and second nature to him or her.