Summer Sports and Smile Protection: Why Custom Mouthguards Matter for Kids and Teens
As summer sports season kicks into high gear, many parents are focused on practices, tournaments, and keeping their kids active. However, one important piece of athletic equipment is often overlooked: a custom mouthguard. Whether your child participates in football, basketball, baseball, soccer, cheerleading, or martial arts, protecting their smile should be part of every game plan.
At Missouri City Dentistry in Missouri City, Texas, we help patients of all ages protect their teeth with custom sports mouthguards designed for comfort, durability, and maximum protection. While store-bought mouthguards are widely available, custom mouthguards provide a significantly better fit and can help reduce the risk of serious dental injuries.
Why Sports-Related Dental Injuries Are So Common
According to the American Dental Association, athletes who do not wear mouthguards are far more likely to suffer dental injuries during sports and recreational activities. A collision, fall, or accidental hit to the face can lead to chipped teeth, cracked teeth, knocked-out teeth, soft tissue injuries, or jaw trauma.
Summer is an especially busy time for youth sports in Missouri City. From summer leagues and sports camps to year-round club teams, kids and teens are spending more time on the field and court. Even sports that are not traditionally considered “high contact” can still pose a risk for dental injuries.
A properly fitted mouthguard acts as a cushion that absorbs impact and helps protect the teeth, lips, cheeks, tongue, and jaw during athletic activity.
Custom Mouthguards vs. Store-Bought Options
Many athletes use boil-and-bite mouthguards purchased from sporting goods stores. While these are better than no protection at all, they often fit poorly, feel bulky, and may shift during play. An uncomfortable mouthguard is less likely to be worn consistently, especially by younger athletes.
Custom mouthguards from Missouri City Dentistry are made specifically for each patient’s smile. Using detailed impressions of the teeth, we create a mouthguard that fits securely and comfortably. This customized fit offers several advantages, including:
- Better protection against impact
- Improved comfort during sports
- Easier breathing and speaking
- Reduced slipping or shifting
- Greater durability over time
Because custom mouthguards are designed specifically for the patient’s bite, they also provide more balanced protection across the teeth and jaw.
Which Sports Require a Mouthguard?
Many people associate mouthguards primarily with football or hockey, but dental injuries can happen in almost any sport. We often recommend mouthguards for athletes participating in:
- Football
- Basketball
- Baseball and softball
- Soccer
- Wrestling
- Martial arts
- Volleyball
- Skateboarding
- Cheerleading
- Lacrosse
- Gymnastics
Even recreational athletes can benefit from wearing a properly fitted mouthguard during physical activities.
Mouthguards Do More Than Protect Teeth
One of the biggest misconceptions about mouthguards is that they only help prevent broken teeth. In reality, mouthguards also help reduce the risk of cuts to the lips and cheeks, jaw injuries, and damage caused by clenching during impact.
For patients who grind or clench their teeth at night, Missouri City Dentistry also offers custom night guards. Night guards are designed differently from sports mouthguards and help protect the teeth from wear caused by bruxism, or nighttime grinding. Chronic teeth grinding can lead to jaw discomfort, headaches, worn enamel, and cracked teeth over time.
Because sports mouthguards and night guards serve different purposes, it is important to wear the correct appliance for each situation.
Protecting Young Smiles This Summer
For children and teens, protecting developing smiles is especially important. A serious sports injury can damage permanent teeth and lead to costly restorative treatment. A custom mouthguard is a simple way to help prevent dental emergencies during sports season, and prevention is often easier and more affordable than treating an injury after it happens.
At Missouri City Dentistry, we help patients protect their smiles with custom sports mouthguards and night guards for teeth grinding. Before the next game or practice, make sure your athlete’s smile is protected with a comfortable, custom-fitted mouthguard. Schedule an appointment today!